The environmental quality bill

Abstract

In this brief address, I propose to deal firstly with aspects of our environmental problems; secondly, the relationship between environmental protection pro- grammes and national development and thirdly, aspects of the Environmental Quality Bill and the actions that have been taken so far in the direction of en- vironmental protection and management. Environmental deterioration as a problem is not only the concern of the government. A resolute effort to check factors of pollution from impairing the environment should be the responsibility of both the government and the public at large. We have learned, from the experience of advanced countries, that the participation, involvement and responsible support of the public is vital in any programme to counteract environmental deterioration. Anti-pollution operation is a multiphased machinery involving many parties and representative segments of the public. In this regard, the government has noted with satisfaction that the passage of the Environmental Quality Bill in Parliament a few months ago was warmly supported by both sides of the house. We consider that such a demon- stration of support augurs well for the success of our environmental management programmes.