An integrated framework for environmental management and protection in Zambia

Abstract

This study identifies the major environmental issues andproblems affecting Zambia and examines the current state andpractice of environmental protection and management. Areview of the existing legislation relating to environmentalprotection in Zambia is made.The relationship between the development process and theenvironment is explored, in particular giving an overview ofthe evolution of paradigms in environmental management anddevelopment. An outline of the environmental trends in sub-Saharan Africa and the environmental policy in the UnitedKingdom and how it relates to the framework of ECenvironmental policy is made. With such a background keyissues have been identified to be addressed when consideringenvironmental policy in Zambia.The mining, agricultural and tourism industries form thesectoral case studies of this study. These sectors have beenselected on the basis of their dominance in Zambia'sdevelopment strategy and their impact on the environment.The immense scale of the mining industry warrants itsconsideration; agriculture has now been given priority asthe sector with the highest potential in the overall economyand; in diversifying the economy, tourism development isemerging as one of the most important sectors.The study recognises that the absence of definite crosssectoralguidelines for environmental resources managementand a general paucity of information on the environment havebeen major constraints for the development of environmentalprotection strategies in Zambia. This has been due toinsufficient institutional support for sustained research andmonitoring of the environment. Therefore, the study mak?sgeneral sectoral recommendations for addressing theenvironmental problems identified in the study