LAKE VICTORIA BASIN

As a response to the various pressures on the

socio-economic issues affecting the LVB, the EAC

Member States Governments are working together

to harmonize their laws, policies and regulatory

frameworks to mitigate against environmental

degradation, among other forms of degradation,

in the Basin and the wider East Africa region. Some

of the most prominent regional efforts include the

enactment of the Lake Victoria Transport Act (2007),

which is aimed at regulating transport on the Lake to

avoid accidents, oil spills and toxic waste disposal. In

addition, a hazardous and toxic chemical contingency

plan is in place.

There are ongoing efforts to put in place an East Africa

Community/Lake Victoria Basin Commission Act to

govern the management of water resources in the LVB,

as well as to complement the existing water release

and abstraction policy for the LVB. The Lake Victoria

Basin Commission, established under the Protocol for

Sustainable Development of the Lake Victoria Basin,

was set up to spearhead the sustainable management

of the environment and natural resources in the Basin.

The Protocol articulates 14 areas that the partner states

have agreed to cooperate on:

• sustainable development, management and

equitable utilization of water resources

• sustainable development and management of

fisheries resources

• promotion of sustainable agricultural and land-use

practices including irrigation

• promotion of sustainable development and

management of forestry resources

• promotionof development andmanagement of wetlands

• promotion of trade, commerce and industrial

development

• promotion of development of infrastructure and energy

• maintenance of navigational safety and maritime

security

• improvement in public health with specific reference

to sanitation

• promotion of research, capacity-building and

information exchange

• environmental protection andmanagement of the Basin

• promotion of public participation in planning and

decision-making

• integration of gender concerns in all activities in the

Basin

• promotion of wildlife conservation and sustainable

tourism development

Governance

Environmental protection is part of the mandate of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission