LAKE VICTORIA BASIN

Governance

As a response to the various pressures on the socio-economic issues affecting the LVB, the EAC Member States Governments are working together to harmonize their laws, policies and regulatory frameworks to mitigate against environmental degradation, among other forms of degradation, in the Basin and the wider East Africa region. Some of the most prominent regional efforts include the enactment of the Lake Victoria Transport Act (2007), which is aimed at regulating transport on the Lake to avoid accidents, oil spills and toxic waste disposal. In addition, a hazardous and toxic chemical contingency plan is in place. There are ongoing efforts to put in place an East Africa Community/Lake Victoria Basin Commission Act to govern the management of water resources in the LVB, as well as to complement the existing water release and abstraction policy for the LVB. The Lake Victoria Basin Commission, established under the Protocol for Sustainable Development of the Lake Victoria Basin, was set up to spearhead the sustainable management of the environment and natural resources in the Basin. The Protocol articulates 14 areas that the partner states have agreed to cooperate on:

• sustainable development, management and equitable utilization of water resources • sustainable development and management of fisheries resources • promotion of sustainable agricultural and land-use practices including irrigation • promotion of sustainable development and management of forestry resources • promotionof development andmanagement of wetlands • promotion of trade, commerce and industrial development • promotion of development of infrastructure and energy • maintenance of navigational safety and maritime security • improvement in public health with specific reference to sanitation • promotion of research, capacity-building and information exchange • environmental protection andmanagement of the Basin • promotion of public participation in planning and decision-making • integration of gender concerns in all activities in the Basin • promotion of wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism development

Environmental protection is part of the mandate of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission

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