Environment (Protection) Act ‏of 2001.

This Act consisting of 27 articles aims at (i) protecting the environment, purity, natural equilibrium thereof, and preserving the connected cultural systems; (ii) promoting the sustainable use of the natural resources; (iii) linking between the environment and development issues; (iv) stressing the responsibility of the competent authority for the environment protection; and (v) preventing slackening and shortcoming in performance by the competent authority. The present Act is composed of 5 Chapters. Chapter 1 deals with terms and definitions; abrogation or exclusion; and environmental objectives. Chapter 2 provides for the following matters: establishment of the Environment and Natural Resources Higher Council; assignments and powers of the Council; management and the administrative organization; financial resources; budget; and funds and accounts. Chapter 3 pertains to the following matters: environment protection policies; environmental impact assessment; obligations of the Competent Authority; and reporting. The competent authority in order to protect the environment shall give due regard to the following policies and directives (i) lay down and validate the standards of quality concerned the environment protection; (ii) preserve the various water sources, protect them from pollution and rationalize water usage; (iii) preserve of air, food, soil, and vegetation, and protect them from pollution and deterioration; (iv) preserve animals, and other living organisms, and protect them from risks of extinction by over hunting or attacking of the same; (v) promote the mining and drilling programs, in accordance with sound standards; (vi) preserve the archaeological and tourist sites; (vii) disseminate awareness and environmental culture and education between citizens; and (viii) coordinate and cooperate with national and international bodies and personalities, concerned with the environment and its protection. Chapter 4 refers to offences and penalties; and the Relevant Court. The Act explicitly prohibits (i) pollution of air; (ii) pollution of water sources; (iii) pollution of food by living organisms, or by the natural or artificial substances; (iv) any form of soil pollution; (v) epidemic pollution; (vi) radiation pollution; (vii) sound pollution; (viii) light pollution; (ix) space pollution; (x) threat of animals and other living organisms; (xi) removal and over felling of trees, and attack on the vegetation; (xii) change of the route of natural water courses; and (xiii) spread genetically amended organisms, without abiding by the safeguards organizing the same. Chapter 5 contains general provisions related to standards and methods for fighting pollution, inspection and application of international agreements.