446
P. R. Gatkuoth
instance, it requires that riverbanks be protected from mining activities
through the construction of embankments and to avoid sand harvesting
too close to the banks and in vegetated areas. It also requires the restoration of landscapes after the conclusion of the various mineral extraction
activities.
Finally, the Act encourages waste minimization, restoration of
degraded ecosystems and the need to keep up with the best practice that
encourages the efficiency and competitiveness of the mining industry.
Chapter 15 states the provisions for pollution control and the restoration
of land after mine closure.
14.4 Conclusion
While South Sudan still utilizes some of its Parent country’s laws and
regulations like the Petroleum Resources Act 1998, the Environmental
Health Act 1975, the Land Act of 2009, the country has made recognizable steps in establishing its own comprehensives constitution by
enacting such laws as the Environment Policy of South Sudan (2010),
the South Sudan Petroleum Act (2012) the Mining Act (2012) and The
Environment Protection and Management Bill (2012)
The impact of oil and gas exploration activities in the Upper Nile
Region is very alarming. Oil exploration and production have had severe
implications for the environment: oil spill and gas flaring have contaminated, degraded and destroyed the forests, and water bodies of the Melut
Basin, thereby causing severe destruction of its biodiversity over the years.
The harmful effects of oil exploration and exploitation on the environment are many as discussed in this chapter. Although the South Sudanese
government has established various policies and strategies to protect the
environment, implementation is still lacking. There is therefore a strong
need to establish a robust mechanism for environmental impact assessment, and such assessment must be supported and expanded to include
other rural areas. Additionally, the country should consider investing
more in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies so that it
embraces the global move to transition to a low-carbon economy.
P. R. Gatkuoth
instance, it requires that riverbanks be protected from mining activities
through the construction of embankments and to avoid sand harvesting
too close to the banks and in vegetated areas. It also requires the restoration of landscapes after the conclusion of the various mineral extraction
activities.
Finally, the Act encourages waste minimization, restoration of
degraded ecosystems and the need to keep up with the best practice that
encourages the efficiency and competitiveness of the mining industry.
Chapter 15 states the provisions for pollution control and the restoration
of land after mine closure.
14.4 Conclusion
While South Sudan still utilizes some of its Parent country’s laws and
regulations like the Petroleum Resources Act 1998, the Environmental
Health Act 1975, the Land Act of 2009, the country has made recognizable steps in establishing its own comprehensives constitution by
enacting such laws as the Environment Policy of South Sudan (2010),
the South Sudan Petroleum Act (2012) the Mining Act (2012) and The
Environment Protection and Management Bill (2012)
The impact of oil and gas exploration activities in the Upper Nile
Region is very alarming. Oil exploration and production have had severe
implications for the environment: oil spill and gas flaring have contaminated, degraded and destroyed the forests, and water bodies of the Melut
Basin, thereby causing severe destruction of its biodiversity over the years.
The harmful effects of oil exploration and exploitation on the environment are many as discussed in this chapter. Although the South Sudanese
government has established various policies and strategies to protect the
environment, implementation is still lacking. There is therefore a strong
need to establish a robust mechanism for environmental impact assessment, and such assessment must be supported and expanded to include
other rural areas. Additionally, the country should consider investing
more in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies so that it
embraces the global move to transition to a low-carbon economy.