NEW ENVIRONMENTAL RULES FOR THE TOURISM SECTOR.
(Date Published: 19 Oct 2007)
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has finalized the development of Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines for the tourism sector. The guidelines are aimed at streamlining development of tourism infrastructure and related activities that affect the environment. The draft document was subjected to a final review by the stakeholders in the sector on 18th October 2007 thus paving way for its official launching early in November.
The development of EIA Guidelines for the tourism sector was driven by the need to promote sustainable tourism in Kenya by reviewing all tourism related legislation, policies and best practices and proposing suitable recommendations. The goal is to ensure that decisions on proposed projects and activities are environmentally sustainable.
“While the tourism industry has remained dependent on the environment for its sustained growth, there have been no clear environmental guidelines for tourism sector”, says the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Nabutola. “It is for this reason that the Ministry and key relevant stakeholders have developed the Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines to create a regulatory framework for environmental management in the tourism sector”.
 The guidelines will ensure that short term gains do not take precedence over the long-term environmental considerations, such as the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Among the recommended actions is the need for enforcement of Environmental Impact Assessment Audit requirement by all new projects and existing facilities like hotels, lodges, cottages among others.
In many places in Kenya, natural systems and biological resources such as the game reserves, water resources, beaches, forests etc are threatened by the rapid growth in tourism that is not backed by well regulated development guidelines. This poses a risk the attractions and services that underpin the tourism industry and since Kenya’s tourism is nature based, its future depends on sustenance of the natural environment. As a result of this environmental dependency, tourism is cited as one of the sectors that has had adverse effects on the environment. Examples include pollution of water resources through waste disposal, trampling of vegetation and congestions such as the case in the Maasai Mara game reserve, beach pollution and destruction of marine ecosystem as well as land degradation among others.
To prepare for launching, the committee that has developed the EIA guidelines is now looking at the linkages between the various institutions for their implementation. This includes modalities of implementing recommendations of the environmental impact assessment audit reports. It will also address the legal framework that will underpin the implementation of these guidelines without causing any conflict with the already existing legislation on environmental issues.
The working committee comprises Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Wildlife Service, Ministry of Local Government, Kenya Tourist Board. Kenya Tourism Federation and Ecotourism Society of Kenya.
>>Back to top
| 
