The enforcement agencies in the small island State of Mauritius cuts across sectoral lines as expressly provided under its Environment Protection Act, 1991 (as amended by EPR Amendment No. 11 of 1993) which identifies the enforcement agencies in the State strictly by specified environmental medium and pollutant. It prescribes their functions, duties and powers in the Act as follows:
- in relation to air, noise, quality control of water supplied for drinking and domestic purposes - the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health;
- in relation to inland waters and effluents - the Permanent Secretary, Ministry responsible for the subject of water resources;
- in relation to solid waste - the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government;
- in relation to pesticide residue and to waters in the zone - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources;
- in relation to National Environmental Standards, affecting the island of Rodrigues, the Island Secretary for Rodrigues; and
- where no enforcing agency is specifically designated in relations to any medium or any pollutant, the Department of the Environment is deemed to have responsibility for exercising the functions of an enforcing agency in relation to that medium or pollutant.
The Act establishes the Environment Coordination Committee to coordinate the activities of the enforcing agencies and generally for the purposes of the Act. It consists of: the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry having responsibility for the environment as Chairman; the enforcing agencies or their representatives; the environment liaison officers; the Director of the Department of Environment; the Deputy Director of the Department; and any other public officer designated by the committee. The committee does the following:
- develops policies and administrative measures that are necessary to ensure prompt and effective consultation on matters relating to environment protection and management;
- ensures that information is shared among the enforcing agencies, the Department and other public departments in order to develop a better understanding of environmental issues and of problems relating to enforcement of environmental laws;
- advises the Minister with responsibility for the environment, and where requested, the National Environmental Commission, on matters relating to environmental standards, guidelines, codes of practice and other control measures for the purpose of avoiding duplication of functions among public departments and of ensuring proper enforcement of environmental laws; and
- generally to ensure maximum cooperation and coordination among enforcing agencies and other public departments dealing with environmental protection.
For more information, contact smooloo@mail.gov.mu