MWANZA: THE National Environment Management Council (NEMC) has taken legal action against 27 businesses and mining sites in the Eastern Lake Victoria Zone for violating environmental laws during inspections conducted in Mwanza, Mara and Simiyu regions.
Speaking to the Daily News recently, Acting Eastern Lake Victoria Zone Manager Boniphace Chacha said offenders were identified during inspections carried out in the previous financial year under the Environmental Management Act.
The inspections covered Musoma, Butiama and Tarime districts in Mara Region, targeting small-scale miners and businesses engaged in mining-related activities.
“We also provided environmental education on the requirements of the Environmental Management Act, while those found violating the law were fined according to the offences committed,” Mr Chacha said.
He said NEMC will expand inspections during the current financial year to cover areas that were not reached previously.
“This inspection programme will cover all areas we were unable to reach during the previous financial year. We will continue working closely with the public and other stakeholders to ensure the environment remains safe,” he said.
According to Mr Chacha, the inspections are intended to ensure mining operations comply with environmental standards to safeguard public health and the environment.
He said NEMC continues to inspect mining sites while providing technical guidance on environmentally friendly and safe mining practices.
Mr Chacha reminded the public that Section 4 of the Environmental Management Act guarantees every person’s right to live in a clean, safe and healthy environment.
He noted that small-scale gold mining continues to face challenges, including the use of outdated and environmentally harmful technologies, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and mining near water sources.
Such practices, he warned, threaten the health of miners and nearby communities while polluting rivers, streams and other water bodies.
“Our responsibility is to educate miners and guide them on conducting their activities without degrading the environment,” he said.
He added that the NEMC is working with stakeholders to promote safer mining technologies, encourage the use of protective equipment and protect water sources during mining and mineral processing.
The Environmental Management Act prescribes fines ranging from 5m/- to 10m/- for individuals convicted of polluting the environment, in addition to other legal penalties depending on the offence.
Mr Chacha said several offenders in Mara, Mwanza and Simiyu have already faced legal action, including for destroying water sources.
“We have entered the new financial year and are fully prepared to continue inspections across all three regions,” he said.
He added that the council will continue collaborating with the media, miners, traders and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with environmental laws and best practices.
Among the areas inspected were Misungwi District in Mwanza Region and Tarime, Musoma and Butiama districts in Mara Region, where offenders were penalised and educated on complying with environmental regulations.