Environmental Law and Policy in Tanzania: Reflections on the Enforcement of The Environmental Management Act

Abstract

Tanzania is a vast country with adverseenvironment that needs to be protected for thegood of current and future generations. Thegovernment has adopted environmental policiesand enacted laws in order to protect theenvironment. The leading legislation in this effort isthe Environmental Management Act which containsrelatively comprehensive provisions which, ifproperly enforced, can help to protect and conservethe environment of the country. This article arguesthat the Act is not fully enforced not only byindividual citizens but also relevant governmentinstitutions and as a result the intended objectivesfor its enactment are not fully realized. Using all theavailable avenues of enforcement, public educationand collaboration among state organs will help toprotect the environment.Key Words: Environment, policy, biological diversity, enforcement