National Environmental (Desertification Control and Drought Mitigation) Regulations, 2011 (S.I. No. 13 of 2011).

These Regulations are made by the Minister of Environment pursuant to the provisions of section 34 of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act, 2007. The objectives of the Regulations include, among other things: To provide an effective and pragmatic regulatory framework for the sustainable use of all areas affected by desertification and the protection of vulnerable lands; promote the use of alternative sources of energy; sensitize the public on the causes and dangers associated with the desertification and the attendant land degradation; encourage reforestation, reseeding, afforestation and conservation of areas under desertification or vulnerable to same for the rehabilitation of degraded lands, among others. The Regulations provide certain principles to be observed in activities carried out in desert prone areas including that farmers should plant trees up to a minimum of 25 trees per hectare on their farms to promote agro forestry; environmental impact assessment to be conducted regularly on lands threatened with desertification, etc. the Regulations provide responsibilities on the Agency, State and Local Governments on their roles for the sustainability of degraded lands and desert prone areas. Furthermore, it provides the objectives for the mitigation of drought in affected areas to include ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to alleviate the impacts of drought occurrence; identify activities or areas mostly at risk during drought and develop mitigating actions to reduce the impacts of drought, among others. The Regulations provide stiff penalties for contravention of provisions.
The following areas shall be declared as specially Protected Areas: ( a) areas with sand dune build-ups ; (b) areas without vegetation cover; (c) water catchment areas vulnerable to drought and desertification; (d) areas with less than 10% forest cover and 25% grass cover. The Regulations provide for the sustainable management of watersheds.