Rwanda
Ministerial Order determining the Main Management Visions of Water Resources in the Main Hydrographic Basins in Rwanda
Ministerial Order 7 of 2013
- Published in Official Gazette special on 30 May 2013
- Assented to on 24 May 2013
- Commenced on 30 May 2013
- [This is the version of this document from 30 May 2013.]
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.History of this document
30 May 2013 this version
Commenced
24 May 2013
Assented to