February 2012. The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has passed a crucial law that could transform how trans-boundary ecosystems and resources in East Africa are managed. EALA is the legislative arm of the East African Community, a regional block bringing together five countries, namely, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
Hon. Dr. George Nangale, the former Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Tourism at EALA, and who moved the bill in 2008 was delighted to see it enacted. "I am glad to see this landmark bill go through, many thanks for the support from all stakeholders," he said.
The new law is considered critical since it establishes a mechanism for addressing developments of a trans-boundary nature that affect shared ecosystems. Among other things, it establishes a Commission that will supervise and monitor the implementation of policies on the management of such resources. It emphasises the need for Environmental Impact Assessment of projects with impacts of a trans-boundary nature, with the Commission playing a key role in the approval process.
"This is a welcome development. East African countries now have a good chance to collaborate and share information on development projects of a trans-boundary nature. It will no longer be business as usual" Said Mr. Deo Gamassa, the new CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (BirdLife in Tanzania).
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