09.02.2015 Views

Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Chapter 5 - Environmental Evaluation <strong>of</strong> the proposed <strong>Shewula</strong> <strong>Tourism</strong> <strong>Dev</strong>elopment<br />

5.2. FINDINGS<br />

5.2.1. Environmental legislation<br />

Environmental legislation can guide the formulation and establishment <strong>of</strong> other<br />

sectoral policies towards a susta<strong>in</strong>able future. It is <strong>in</strong>tended to ensure that the<br />

broader environment is adequately protected and sufficiently considered dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />

development plann<strong>in</strong>g. In the context <strong>of</strong> the present world economic order, which<br />

does not promote voluntary protection <strong>of</strong> the environment, environmental legislation<br />

is one <strong>of</strong> the tools available to ensure that the environment is not detrimentally<br />

affected by human activities.<br />

5.2.1.1. Legal and policy requirements<br />

The Environmental Audit, Assessment, & Review Regulations (1996) (hereafter<br />

referred to as 'the Regulations') promulgated <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> Section 18 <strong>of</strong> the Swaziland<br />

Environment Authority Act (No. 15 <strong>of</strong> 1992), provide for vary<strong>in</strong>g degrees <strong>of</strong><br />

environmental assessments to be carried out. These Regulations also establish<br />

guidel<strong>in</strong>es for environmental impact assessments and environmental audit reports <strong>in</strong><br />

Swaziland. The Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA) adm<strong>in</strong>isters the Regulations.<br />

In accordance with the Regulations, a project brief for the proposed tourism<br />

development <strong>in</strong> <strong>Shewula</strong> was submitted to the SEA, together with accompany<strong>in</strong>g<br />

maps <strong>of</strong> the area. The SEA has subsequently classified the proposed tourism<br />

development as a Category 2 development. 102 Category 2 projects, accord<strong>in</strong>g to the<br />

Regulations, are deemed likely to cause environmental impacts, some <strong>of</strong> which may<br />

be significant unless mitigation actions are taken. Such projects are deemed to cause<br />

impacts which are relatively well known and easy to predict, as are the potential<br />

mitigation actions that may be utilised.<br />

In terms <strong>of</strong> a Category 2 development, the project proponent (i.e. the person /<br />

persons who are ultimately responsible for the project's implementation) must submit<br />

an Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) and a Comprehensive Mitigation Plan<br />

(CMP) to the SEA. The Regulations suggest a number <strong>of</strong> requirements for the<br />

process to be follow<strong>in</strong>g when draw<strong>in</strong>g up an IEE. These requirements are<br />

summarised <strong>in</strong> Box 5.1 and have been <strong>in</strong>corporated <strong>in</strong>to a generic IEE document<br />

(see Appendix 2). 103<br />

5.2.2. Environmental norms and standards<br />

5.2.2.1. International norms<br />

To adhere to <strong>in</strong>ternational environmental norms and standards, it is recommended<br />

that the pr<strong>in</strong>ciples <strong>of</strong> Scop<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the Integrated Environmental Management (IEM)<br />

process be applied to this IEE. The IEM procedure provides a framework for the<br />

<strong>in</strong>tegration <strong>of</strong> environmental issues <strong>in</strong>to the plann<strong>in</strong>g, design, decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g and<br />

implementation <strong>of</strong> plans and development proposals. In addition, the IEM procedure<br />

lists a number <strong>of</strong> key pr<strong>in</strong>ciples, which are <strong>in</strong>tended to ensure that negative<br />

environmental impacts are maximised and positive benefits are enhanced.<br />

102<br />

Due to the fact the project was classified accord<strong>in</strong>g to the orig<strong>in</strong>al proposal, an updated project brief may need to<br />

be submitted to the SEA. Mr. Steve Zuke <strong>of</strong> the SEA should be consulted on this matter.<br />

103<br />

This draft IEE provides a template that should be updated for submission to the SEA once the necessary<br />

<strong>in</strong>formation is available.<br />

116

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!