The influence of sustainable development in the South African environmental law and integrated environmental management

Abstract

Die Suid-Afrikaanse omgewingsreg kry sy grondslag in velerlei statute, waarvan die Wet op Omgewingsbewaring van 1989 die belangrikste is. Die staat is tans besig om hierdie wet en die Geintegreerde Omgewingsbestuursbeleid in lyn te bring met die - Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika van 1996. Dit word onder meer gedoen deur regulasies wat ingevolge die Wet op Omgewingsbewaring afgekondig is, die Witskrif op 'n Omgewingsbeleid vir Suid-Afrika, die Witskrif oor Bewaring en Volhoubare Gebruik van Suid-Afrika se Biologiese Diversiteit, ensovoorts. Hierdie beleidsaanpassing beoog om ontwikkeling op 'n volhoubare wyse te laat geskied, wat ook rekening hou met die ekonomiese werklikhede van Suid-Afrika, soos verwoord in die Heropbou en Ontwikkelingsprogram. Voordeel kan daaruit getrek word deur te kyk na die pad wat volhoubare ontwikkeling in lndie, as 'n ontwikkelende land, gevolg het

South African environmental law derives its foundation from various statutes, of which the Environment Conservation Act of 1989 is the most important. The state is currently in the process of bringing this Act and the Integrated Environmental Management Policy in line with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. This is done by, inter a/ia, the regulations which have been promulgated in terms of the Environment Conservation Act, the White Paper on an Environmental Policy for South Africa, the White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Biological Diversity of South Africa, et cetera. This adaptation in policy is directed towards sustainable development, which will also take into account the economic realities of South Africa as set out in the Reconstruction and Development Programme. Benefit may be derived from observing the path of sustainable development in India as a developing country.