The Zambian legislation regulating pollution and its effectiveness in pollution control.An analysis

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Date
2013-10-18
Authors
Nachalwe, Nkusuwila
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Abstract
It is an established scientific fact that when pollution in whatever degree goes unchecked results in a gradual degradation of the environment; consequence of which intolerable risks to human, plant and animal life results, needless to say, irreversible forms of degradation and waste.The advent of industrialisation and other related human activities has resulted in pollution that has ultimately upset the ecological system. Zambia no doubt has not been spared, in the name of development, industries have sprung up such as the mining, fuel refineries like Indeni and other manufacturing industries.Furthermore, inadequately controlled technology has compounded the depletion of the natural resources as well as the Ozone layer, whose total depletion may lead to the extinction of all forms of life on earth.This has been a global concern of which Zambia should take heed and thus take it upon herself to put in place measures that will reduce the rate of the Ozone layer depletion.Zambia has in place one principal legislation that seeks to regulate pollution, this being the Environment Protection and Pollution Control Cap 204 of the laws. Other legislation such as the Water Act, Mines and Minerals Act .Factories Act and various related Statutory Instruments will be referred to in the paper.Zambia being a member of the international community, is a signatory to a number of international environmental agreements, such as the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (1968),Ramsar Convention of Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (1971), Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and National Heritage (1972), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973) and International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources. Most of these have a bearing on the environmental conservation process.In view of the foregoing therefore, the problem this research endeavours to address is Zambia's vigilance to the problem of pollution; whether or not the legislation in place has been effective and adequate vis-a-vis enforcement. Lastly, a focus on the regulatory body created to control pollution and its inadequacies in enforcing legislation. IV
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Pollution Control
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