Finalisation of the Environment Protection
Bill
The Ministry is at its final stage of amending the Environment
Protection Act, the Bill has made provisions on the following:-
1. The object of this Bill is to amend the Environment
Protection Act 2002.
2. Three new committees will be set up as follows -
(a) an EIA/PER Monitoring Committee will be responsible
for reviewing progress following the grant of EIA Licences
and the approval of Preliminary Environmental Reports
so as to ensure that conditions imposed and guidelines
issued are complied with;
(b) an MEAs Co-ordinating Committee will have the function
to co-ordinate the implementation by the various Ministries
and organisations of the multilateral environmental agreements
to which Mauritius is a party; and
(c) a PER Committee will make recommendations to the
Minister following an application for the approval of
a PER.
4. A fast-track approach will be provided to smoothen
EIA procedures by reducing processing time of an EIA
application.
5. The enforcement power of local authorities will be
extended to the enforcement of environmental laws by
designating them as an enforcing agency, under the Fourth
Schedule, for the enforcement of environmental laws falling
within their administrative area.
6. A range of fixed penalties will be applied depending
on the gravity of the offences, such as responsible for
eyesores, littering, spitting and smoking in specified
areas, but not exceeding Rs 2000.
7. The Chairperson of the Environment Appeal Tribunal
will be appointed by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission
and will be given power to sit alone to grant injunctions
in urgent cases. The Tribunal will also be able to hear
appeals from any aggrieved person whose interests are
prejudiced by a decision.
