VIII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

[ VIII-A | VIII-B | VIII-C | VIII-D | VIII-E | VIII-F | VIII-G | VIII-H ]

B. Legal mechanisms for formulating and enforcing environmental policies

The Lack of legally-binding mandates is widely cited as an obstacle to enforcing implementation of current and future environmental policies. The absence of a central environmental body, with a wide cross-sectional representation and backed by legal mandates, is regarded as an important factor in the low priority accorded by the government to the environment.

Although a multitude of statutes exist which cover many facets of the environment and natural resources, there is an urgent need to update and codify them into a more consistent and coherent set of environmental laws. During the past 15 years concerted attempts have been made by the officials concerned in the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources to introduce comprehensive environmental legislation. But many obstacles have been encountered during that time. Finally, however, it appears that the latest version of the proposed Environmental Assessment Planning Bill will be accepted by the government. While the Bill is far from ideal, it will definitely give those concerned with environmental management and planning most of the necessary legal mandates.

Recommendations

It is recommended that:

• Every effort be made to have the proposed Environmental Assessment Planning Bill enacted as soon as possible;
• The membership of the National Environmental Assessment Committee recommended in the proposed Environmental Assessment Planning Bill be widened to include at least four representatives from the public and the private sector;
• Once the Bill becomes law, it should be publicized as much and as widely as possible, and copies of the Tongan version be made freely available to the local population.

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