Ministerial Order determining the Main Management Visions of Water Resources in the Main Hydrographic Basins in Rwanda

Citation
Ministerial Order 7 of 2013
Date
30 May 2013
Language
English
Type
Legislation
Rwanda

Ministerial Order determining the Main Management Visions of Water Resources in the Main Hydrographic Basins in Rwanda

Ministerial Order 7 of 2013

The Minister of Natural Resources;Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 04 June 2003 as amended to date, especially in Articles 120, 121 and 201;Pursuant to Law nº 62/2008 of 10/09/2008 putting in place the use, conservation, protection and management of water resources regulations, especially in Article 29;After consideration and approval by the Cabinet, in its session of 14/11/2012;HEREBY ORDERS:

Chapter One
General provisions

Article One – Purpose of this Order

This Order determines the main management visions of water resources in the main hydrographic basins.

Article 2 – Main hydrographic basins

The main hydrographic basins referred to in this Order are the Congo River Basin and the Nile River Basin.

Chapter II
Management visions

Article 3 – Appropriate management of water resources

The appropriate management of water in the main hydrographic basins shall implement programmes for the protection, conservation, safeguarding and rational use of water resources in the main hydrographic basins.

Article 4 – Sustainable land use

For purposes of using land in a sustainable manner, every person living in Rwanda shall have the responsibility of controlling soil erosion in the main hydrographic basins.Every person who carries out activities on the land of the main hydrographic basins shall be required to control soil erosion taking into account the nature of the land and the rainfall intensity in the location of the activities.

Article 5 – Protection of water resources from pollution

Throwing or discharging in water or in any other place, any of the substances that is harmful to water resources as indicated by the Ministerial Order determining the list of water pollutants, by use of any means that may reach water either by rainwater or through any other ways is prohibited.

Article 6 – Water storage

Water storage shall be encouraged in the main hydrographic basins.The construction of small or large dams shall be done in a way that does not obstruct the use of water and in accordance with instructions of the Minister in charge of water resources.The Minister in charge of water resources shall issue authorisation for construction of dams.

Article 7 – Environmental conservation

For purposes of environmental conservation, any person who intends to carry out any activity in the main hydrographic basins that may have an impact on water resources shall first conduct an environment impact assessment in accordance with relevant the law.Without prejudice to the provisions of Paragraph One of this Article, any activity carried out in the main hydrographic basins and which may have a harmful impact on water resources shall be conducted in respect of prevention of water wastage and any harm to biodiversity.The Authority in charge of management of water resources shall ensure the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of this Article.

Article 8 – Conservation of main hydrographic basins

Every person shall have the responsibility of conserving the main hydrographic basins.In particular, local leaders shall have the responsibility of sensitising the population on protection of water resources in the main hydrographic basins and notify judicial authorities in case the basins are used in a manner that is contrary to law.

Chapter III
Final provisions

Article 9 – Repealing provision

All prior provisions contrary to this Order are hereby repealed.

Article 10 – Commencement

This Order shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.
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History of this document

30 May 2013 this version
Commenced
24 May 2013
Assented to