An Act of Parliament to amend the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999
| PROPOSED PROVISION FOR AMENDMENT | PROPOSED AMENDMENT | OUR COMMENTS |
Clause 2 Amendment of section 147 of No. 8 of 1999 | Section 147 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999 is amended in sub-section (2) by inserting the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (b): (ba) make provisions for the prohibition of the introduction, growth or maintenance of trees of the eucalyptus species in and along any river, lake, sea or wetland. | Trees of the eucalyptus species are known for their high-water consumption, which can lead to the depletion of water in a river, lake, sea or wetland. In the long run, this proposal, if passed into law, would prevent water scarcity issues which affect other plants, animals and human communities that rely on the water source. Secondly, eucalyptus trees are known to deplete soil nutrients, making it difficult for other plants to grow within the same vicinity. This further disrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem and reduces the fertility of soil along a river, lake, sea or wetland. As such, the proposed amendment would go a long way in helping towards the larger efforts aimed at sustainability and protecting the environment. |