The Ministry of Land, Water and Environment (MLWE) prepared a plan for administering environment which was put into practice since last June. This plan had been compiled after studies and discussions in different parts of the country over the last two years. The plan aims at assessing the impacts of development projects on environment before they are implemented. The following interview was conducted last week with the General Director of the Environment Department in the MLWE, Mr. Tekleab Mesghina on the essence and objectives of this plan. Excerpts follow:
What is the content of the national plan for the environment management recently prepared?
The national plan for the environment management seeks to assess the negative impacts of development projects on environment before their implementation. The main objective is to ascertain that these projects realize economic development while at the same time preserve the safety of environment. And if we are to verify this, we have to reach national directives for the management of environment through which we can decide the extent of the negative impacts of projects.
In the past there were no directives for the environment management. Every government ministry and department used to work independently. According to the present plan the efforts regarding environment management will be coordinated nationwide.
The projects are classified according to their nature into three categories. There are the projects with no negative impacts on the environment. These can be easily executed. The second, is those projects with negative impacts on the environment, and preventive measures have to be introduced here. The third category includes the big projects like exploration operations and mining works for minerals in addition to heavy industries.
Are there any concerns and worries regarding the environment safety at present?
There are many reasons that motivated our preparation of the Environment management plan. We notice that there are several environmental problems which previously did not receive due attention.
For instance, we find in Asmara different types of smoke and pollution resulting from different kinds of projects and factories like those from red brick furnaces, and burning of waste materials etc.
This is happening, because the city plan is old and did not take into account the city's subsequent expansion. For avoiding this, we have to think with farsightedness. Also, after liberation many projects were established without observing or caring for the environment safety. This is why these are presently causing some environmental problems.
However, from now on all the projects to be set up in the country with local or foreign financing should comply with the regulations and requirements of the national plan for the environment management and accordingly should observe both economic benefits and the environment safety.
When is this plan going to be implemented?
The MLWE has distributed this plan to private institutions and the government departments since last June for immediate implementation. And the Environment Department is assuming its responsibility of supervising the plan's implementation, follow up and monitor that it is complied with.
However, generally speaking, the responsibility of protecting and preserving the environment's safety does not lie only with a certain ministry or department, but is shared by all institutions and individuals.
What is your concept of environment?
Environment includes natural and physical environment like weather, land, atmosphere, forests, animals, birds and all kinds of flora and fauna etc. as well as social activities, agriculture, industry, marine life etc. We are working for preserving the environment safety like protecting waters from pollution, preventing soil erosion and securing forests from being cut as well as protecting wildlife.
The National Plan for the Environment Management is considered a novelty in our country. Therefore, its implementation is a test for our option, and thus it requires flexibility from all regarding its handling, because it is not a rigid law but rather a general guide.
In fact, if we are really to attain a safe and healthy environment and a developed economy, we have to work according to the stipulations of this plan taking all aspects into account while applying it.