INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

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Wetlands Management Department (Ministry of Water and Environment) District Wetland Offices

POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK National Wetlands Policy, 1995

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National Environment Management Policy, 1997 National Environment Management Act, 1995 National Environment (Wetlands, River Banks, and Lakeshores management) Regulations, 2000

ACTION POINTS FOR LEGISLATORS 

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A general public attitude continues to exist that views wet- lands as ‘waste lands’ and, therefore, causes people to con- sider short-term benefits of wetland use as opposed to long- term benefits. Public education of wetland long-term benefits is required to make current wetland uses more sustainable. Due to the vital importance of wetlands to many house- holds countrywide, there is need to increase local and central government political support and funding to the wetlands sector. This will become increasingly important as wetlands play a buffer role against extreme weather re- lated to climate change. The Wetlands Management Department requires in- creased support to improve and increase its human and logistical resources, particularly for monitoring purposes.

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