ACTS AND POLICIES
FORESTRY ACT

The Forestry Act 1997 was enacted in order to provide for conservation, establishment, protection and management of trees, and forests for the sustainable development of Malawi.  Among other things, the  main objectives of the act are :  To identify and manage areas permanent forest cover as protection or production forest in order to maintain environmental stability; To prevent resource degradation and to increase social and economic benefits; To promote community involvement in the conservation of trees and forests in forest reserves and protected forest areas in accordance with the provisions of this Act; To promote sustainable utilization of timber, fuelwood and other forest produce; To promote optimal and land use through agroforestry in smallholder farming systems; To control trafficking in wood and other forestry produce including exportation and importation and To protect fragile areas such as steep slopes and  river banks. Dowonload the File

FISHERIES CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1997

The Fisheries Conservation and management Act 1997 was enacted in order to make provision for regulation, conservation and management of the fisheries of Malawi. The act is currently under review. The bill was validated, awaiting approval by the parliament. Dowonload the File

BIOSAFETY ACT CAP 60 : 03

The Biosafety Act Cap 60: 03 was enacted to provide safety standards and guidelines for management of biotechnology activities and products. Dowonload the File

 

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT (EMA) OF 2017

The Environmental Management Act 2017 was enacted in order to make provision for the protection and management of the environment; the conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resource. Dowonload the File

ATOMIC ENERGY ACT CAP 61:03

The Atomic Energy Act (Cap63:03) was enacted in order to provide for the adequate protection of people as well as the environment against the harmful effects of radiation sources, nuclear material and radioactive materials. Dowonload the File

MINES AND MINERALS ACT OF 2019
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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

The overall goal of the National Environmental Policy (2004) is the promotion of sustainable social and economic development through the sound management of the environment and natural resources. Specifically the policy aims at  securing  for all persons, now and in the future, an environment suitable for their health and wellbeing; Promoting sustainable utilization and management of the country's natural resources; Facilitating the restoration, maintenance and enhancement of the ecosystems and ecological processes essential for the functioning of the biosphere and prudent use of renewable resources; Promoting the ecosystems management; Enhancing public education and awareness of various environmental issues and public participation in addressing them; Integrating sustainable environment and natural resources management into the decentralized governance systems; Developing  and regularly update environmental information systems to facilitate planning and decision making at all levels;  as well as  facilitating development of mechanisms for management of conflicts in the environment and natural. Dowonload the File

THE PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2003

The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) (Cap. 37:02) of 2003 was enacted in order to foster and enhance effective and responsible economic and financial management by Government, including adherence to policy objectives; to provide accountability arrangements and compliance to those arrangements; to obligate Government to produce statements of proposed budget policy, confirmation of adherence to fiscal discipline, economic and fiscal statements, including economic and fiscal forecast and updates, and performance information. MOFNR considers the PFMA as the basis for transforming public sector institutions to enhance financial prudence and accountability. Accordingly, MoNRCC will act in full compliance to the provisions of this Act. Dowonload the File

THE PUBLIC AUDIT ACT OF 2003

The Public Audit Act of 2003 provides for the strengthening of audit practices in the public service, among other things. It also provides for the establishment of the National Audit Office (NAO) as a Supreme Audit institution. The Purpose of the Public Audit Act is to give effect to the principle of accountability of Government to the public through the National Assembly. MoNRCC considers the PAA as the basis for transforming public sector institutions to reduce fraud and enhance financial prudence and accountability. MoNRCC will therefore uphold this principle and the provisions of the Act in the implementation of its Strategic Plan. Dowonload the File

THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AND DISPOSAL OF ASSETS ACT OF 2017

The Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act (PPDAA) of 2017 replaced the public Procurement Act of 2003 and was enacted to provide for the establishment of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority which regulates, monitors and provides oversight over public procurement and disposal of public assets. The PPDAA also aims to “maximize economy and efficiency in public procurement and disposal of public assets to improve value for money.” Part VIII of the Act focuses on the integrity of public servants in procurement processes and calls for, among other things, impartiality, avoiding conflict of interest, avoiding any corrupt and fraudulent activities and keeping information regarding procurement processes confidential. The Act, therefore, is instrumental in preventing loss of public resources through unsystematic and unregulated procurement, poor decision-making, fraud and corruption by public servants. MOFNR recognizes the PPA as an essential instrument for enhancing public sector governance and utilization of public assets. It will therefore ensure that the provisions of this Act are adhered to. Dowonload the File

THE CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT OF 1996
The Corrupt Practices Act, 1996 established the Anti-Corruption Bureau and made comprehensive provisions for the prevention of corruption. The functions of the Bureau include investigation and prosecution of corruption practices. Thus, the Bureau takes necessary measures for the prevention of corruption in the public and private sector by among other things: 
  • Examining the practices and procedures of public and private institutions in order to facilitate the discovery of corrupt practices and secure revision of methods of work or procedures which in the opinion of the Bureau may be prone or conducive to corrupt practices; and
  • Advising institutions on ways and means of preventing corrupt practices and on changes in methods of work or procedures.
Corruption, which is commonly defined as abuse of public or private office for private gains is viewed as a major constraint to socio-economic development in Malawi. It is also viewed as a key symptom of weak governance and it has debilitating effects on the economic, social and political environment in which it occurs. Thus, anti-corruption strategies need to be an integral part of a development strategy designed to help the country in eradicating poverty and stimulating socio-economic growth.
In response to the above, MoNRCC will develop and implement a Risk and Mitigation Measures Matrix as prevention strategy in liaison with ACB. Dowonload the File
NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MANAGEMENT POLICY
The overall goal of the National Climate Change Management Policy (2016)  is to promote climate change adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer and capacity building for sustainable livelihoods through Green Economy measures for Malawi. Specially the policy  aims at effectively manage the impacts of climate change through interventions that build and sustain the social and ecological resilience of all Malawians; Contributing towards the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system within a timeframe that enables social, economic and environmental development to proceed in a sustainable manner;  Integrate climate change into planning, development, coordination and Monitoring of key relevant sectors in a gender sensitive manner; and Integrate cross-cutting issues into climate change management through an appropriate institutional framework. Dowonload the File
 
NATIONAL FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE POLICY

The goal of the National Fisheries Act (2016)   is to promote sustainable fisheries resource utilization and aquaculture development in order to contribute to food and nutrition security and economic growth of the country.  Its main objective is to sustainably increase fisheries and aquaculture productivity for accessible nutritious food and increased contribution to economic growth.  Specifically, the policy aims at increasing fish capture; small and larges scale aquaculture production; strengthen participatory fisheries management, reduction of post-harvest losses as well as promoting applied research in fisheries and aquaculture. Dowonload the File

NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL POLICY

The National Meteorological Policy (2019) was developed to contribute towards enhanced meteorological services to support social economic development of the country.  It mainly focuses on improved coordination of collection, management and dissemination of meteorological data and information among stakeholders; dissemination of meteorological information for early preparedness; and improved capacity of the meteorological sector for effective and efficient delivery of weather and climate services in the country. Dowonload the File

NATIONAL FORESTRY POLICY

The goal of the National Forest Policy, 2016, is for the conservation, establishment, protection and management of trees and forests for the sustainable development of Malawi. The policy mainly focuses on provision of an enabling framework for promoting the participation of local communities, the civil society and the private sector in forest conservation and management; promotion of    establishment of forest based small and medium scale industries; promotion of sustainable management of forests for the protection of the environment, conservation of biodiversity and climate change management. Promotion of   development of initiatives for adequate and sustainable short, medium- and long-term financing mechanisms for the forestry sector and its contribution to GDP as well enhancement of the development of requisite human resource commensurate with the implementation of the policy. Dowonload the File