North Western Province Environmental Statute 1990 (No. 12 of 1990).

The Statute is divided into the following Parts: Establishment of the North Western Province Environmental Authority and an Environmental Council (I); Powers and Functions of the Provincial Authority (II); Staff of the Provincial Authority (III); Environmental Management (IV); Environmental Protection (V); Environmental Quality (VI); Approval of Projects (VII); General (VIII).
The Authority shall: (a) recommend to the Minister on matters pertaining to soil and forest conservation, prevention of air, water and land pollution; (b) undertake investigations and surveys as to the causes, nature and prevention of pollution and to the compliance with the Statute and the rules made thereunder; (c) provide information and education to the public; (d) establish and maintain liaison with other national and international organizations; (e) prepare long-term and short-term plans for environmental protection and management; (f) prevent and prohibit the discharge of pollutants or untreated waste. The Provincial Authority may also prepare a land use scheme consistent with the following objects: 1) to provide a rational and efficient system for the acquisition, utilization and disposal of land; 2) to impose conditions in respect of uncultivated, abandoned or neglected lands; 3) to determine the crops that may cultivated on a certain land, village or area. The Scheme may include: (a) a land inventory and classification system; (b) a determination of present land uses; (c) an identification of the areas having historic, cultural or aesthetic value; (d) a policy for influencing the location of new areas of resettlement and the methods for assuring appropriate control over the use of land in such areas. Moreover, the Statute prohibits the discharge, emission or deposit of waste into the environment except under the authority of a licence issued by the Provincial Authority and in accordance with the standards, criteria, conditions or rules prescribed under Part V of the Statute. Part VI concerns the restriction, regulation and control of pollution of the Province's inland waters.