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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
6.1 Concepts of Environmental Management and Conservation
Definitions
1. Environmental Management (EM)
It is defined as the measures and controls undertaken at individual, community, national, and international levels and
directed as environmental conservation so as to ensure that natural resources are allocated and utilized in a manner
that will improve the quality of life for present and future generations (UNESCO-UNEP, 1983).
It is the process of recognizing and developing ways of using environmental resources in such a way that their
supply will be balanced over time and their quality assured for future generation.

2. Environmental Conservation

It is defined as judicious use to avoid wastage of materials and degradation of environment. Conservation of
environment involves the conservation of the natural resources. Conservation is an important aspect environmental
management. It embraces preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilization, restoration and improvement of the
natural environment. Conservation like development is for the benefit of the human kind while development ends at
achieving human goals, largely through the use of the biosphere.

The non-renewable resources have to be conserved as they cannot be replenished. The reserves of the resources such
as fossil fuels are limited and man is heavily dependent on these resources for his day to day needs. The renewable
resources too have to be judiciously used. Though they are replenished, they are subjected to a lot of pollution that
renders them useless.

For example: water is plenty on earth. However, most of it is in the ocean and cannot be used as such by man. Man
can only use the fresh water of the rivers that are being polluted by man. The polluted waters cannot meet man's
requirements effectively and satisfactorily.

Thus, conservation of the environment includes the conservation of all the natural resources. The governments of
different countries must contribute by making strict legislations to counter the activities that are not environment
friendly and lead to unsustainable development.

Environmental management is therefore integration of conservation and development to ensure that modifications to
the planet earth do not threaten the well being of human kind, other forms of life and the planet itself. This approach
to development is referred to as integrated management.

Aim
The aim of EM is to ensure long-term productivity of the environmental resources so as to sustain development. EM
should ensure that in the process of development, the interrelationships and interdependence within nature are
maintained. This can be done by applying both ecological and economic principles to the utilisation of resources.
For example, there should always be fish in a fishing pond, if the stock put there initially is not consumed.
In the context of sustainable development, all environmental assets, natural and man-made comprise of the capital.
These include the available stocks of non-renewable resources such as oil, coal, and natural gas as well as the

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structure, habitat and functions of the environments such as the ozone layer, the protective of forests and wetlands,
the self-purification functions of rivers and oceans and the store of biological diversity.
Conservation does not mean lack of economic growth. It suggests growth within limits set by the ability of the
environmental capital to regenerate itself. This can be achieved through proper management. Management
principles utilized in business firms should be applied to all environmental activities like utilization of coastal
resources, tropical forests, manufacturing industries and others. The functions of management should be applied to
resource utilization too. This involves proper planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating, directing, communicating
and controlling. The success in carrying out these functions in all development projects and activities will mean that
resources will not be wasted, overused or misused. Their utilization will be properly directed to maintain their
sustainability and reduce he conflict between environment and development.

6.2 Strategies and Significance of Environmental Management.

The Management Process

The management process involves planning, organising, controlling, decision-making, problem-solving,

communicating, and reporting. All of them should be applied to environmental resource utilisation to ensure that
resources are sustained.

Planning: The process through which managers set goals and objectives of national development and organization.
A plan or strategy on how to achieve the goals is drawn up. Planning in environmental management involves
proposing economically efficient and environmental friendly means of realizing goals.

Organizing: The process by which managers design a framework that will be used to implement plans to achieve
goals and objectives. This involves determining what programmes, projects and activities must be performed. In
EM, this involves a wide range of activities since human activities utilize environmental resources and are likely to
have an impact on the environment.

The control aspect is essential if goals and objectives of sustainable development are to be attained.

Everyone is involved in environmental management in one way or another. Therefore people should have the basic
knowledge needed to manage resources efficiently.

The Integrated Approach

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The main objective is to promote the concept of sustainable development, so that it is able to not only meet present
needs while conserving the quality and productive potential of the environment, but to be also capable of meeting
the needs of future generations. Because ecosystems have complex interrelationships, there is need to use integrated
approach to environment and development issues.

In the Earth Summit in Brazil, 1992, there was a specific call for all countries to prepare integrated national
strategies for environment and development.

Establishing Goals, Regulations, Incentives, and Standard.

Governments and NGOs must work towards achieving the goals, providing resources, cooperation, and vision to
attain them. Implementation and enforcement of regulatory measures to protect the environment is necessary.
Incentives and standards should be included in national plans and policies and there is need for constancy and
continual monitoring and follow-up of such activities.

Environmental Awareness, Research and Training

The creation of environmental awareness is essential for effective environmental management if the goal of
sustainable development is to be achieved. This is based on the premise that environmental problems require cross-
sectoral and interdisciplinary solutions, hence the need for an integrated approach.

It is important that people recognise that environment and development are complimentary and interdependent and
in the long run mutually reinforcing. People must care for and participate in sustainable development in their local
environment. This would entail the adoption of environmentally sound and socially acceptable methods of resource
management.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The development process should be measured in terms of the impact it has on the environment. This measurement
should be done before each development project is implemented through a pre-project evaluation known as
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Once the impact is known in advance, corrective measures can be
incorporated into the project, or an alternative project can be proposed.

EIA answers the following questions:

1. What changes will the project cause on the environment?

2. Will the identified changes matter?

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3. What can be done about the changes should they appear?

4. How can decision-makers be informed of what needs to be done?

Mitigation measures ask the question: "What can be done about the changes that matter?''

Though adverse environmental impacts are impossible to eliminate, it is important to identify actions that would
reduce the scale. This is done by suggesting mitigation measures for each impact. Examples are:

- changing project site, route, processes, designs, raw materials, timing, etc.
- introducing pollution controls
- waste treatment
-landscaping
- special social services or public education
- money to affected persons, etc

Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)

Cost benefit analysis is a technique used in environmental protection and management. It is used in the appraisal of
projects and policies that have a direct implication on environmental conservation, for example, siting of dams,
factories, national parks and pollution control.

Environmental Management in Kenya

The wide environmental management in Kenya is in the hands of National Environment Management Authority
(NEMA), a parastatal within the ministry of environment and mineral resources. However environment being a
multisectoral phenomenon, there are several other government agencies that play a role as they manage their sectors.
These include:
a. Ministry of public health and sanitation-environmental health including; Public Health, the working environment
radiation control and management of hazardous wastes.
b. Ministry of water development-through management of water resources utilization.
c. Ministry of Local government-through management of urban environments by urban councils.
d. Ministry of forestry and wild life-anti poaching and deforestation
e. Ministry of Agriculture-Controls farming practices to prevent soil erosion in areas with sloppy land.

Functions of NEMA

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The authority core functions are:

 Coordinating the various environmental management activities being

undertaken by the lead agencies
 Promote the integration of environmental considerations into development
policies, plans, programmes and projects, with a view to ensuring the proper
management and rational utilization of environmental resources, on
sustainable yield basis, for the improvement of the quality of human life in
Kenya.

 To take stock of the natural resources in Kenya and their utilization and conservation.

 To establish and review land use guidelines.

 Examine land use patterns to determine their impact on the quality and quantity of natural resources.

 Carry out surveys, which will assist in the proper management and conservation of the environment.

 Advise the Government on legislative and other measures for the management of the environment or the
implementation of relevant international conventions, treaties and agreements.

 Advise the Government on regional and international conventions, treaties and agreements to which Kenya
should be a party and follow up the implementation of such agreements.

 Undertake and coordinate research, investigation and surveys, collect, collate and disseminate information
on the findings of such research, investigations or surveys.

 Mobilize and monitor the use of financial and human resources for environmental management.

 Identify projects and programmes for which environmental audit or environmental monitoring must be
conducted under this Act.

 Initiate and evolve procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents, which may cause
environmental degradation and evolve remedial measures where accidents occur e.g. floods, landslides and
oil spills.

 Monitor and assess activities, including activities being carried out by relevant lead agencies, in order to
ensure that the environment is not degraded by such activities. Management objectives must be adhered to
and adequate early warning on impending environmental emergencies is given.

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 Undertake, in cooperation with relevant lead agencies, programmes intended to enhance environmental
education and public awareness, about the need for sound environmental management, as well as for
enlisting public support and encouraging the effort made by other entities in that regard.

 Publish and disseminate manual codes or guidelines relating to environmental management and prevention
or abatement of environmental degradation.

 Render advice and technical support, where possible, to entities engaged in natural resources management
and environmental protection, so as to enable them to carry out their responsibilities satisfactorily .

 Prepare and issue an annual report on the State of Environment in Kenya and in this regard, may direct any
lead agency to prepare and submit to it a report on the state of the sector of the environment under the
administration of that lead agency.

The current environmental issues of concern in Kenya

1. Water pollution from urban and industrial water-this affects major urban areas like Nairobi, Kisumu, and
Mombasa etc. Decline of flamingoes in L. Nakuru has been attributed to this cause.
2. Degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers-this affects the agricultural areas
and upsets ecosystems of local water systems e.g. L.Naivasha
3. Water hyacinth infestation in L. Victoria.
4. Solid waste management and disposal-Is a major challenge for the major urban areas.
5. Deforestation, desertification and soil erosion: these are intertwined and is blamed for climatic changes and
depletion of water catchment areas
Water resources
Water resources are under pressure from agricultural chemicals and urban and industrial wastes, as well as from
use for hydroelectric power. Kenya expects a shortage of water to pose a problem in the coming years. Water-
quality problems in lakes, including water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria, have contributed to a
substantial decline in fishing output and endangered fish species.
Water pollution from urban and industrial wastes poses another environmental problem. Kenya has 20.2 cubic
kilometers of renewable water resources with 76% used in farming activity and 4% used for industrial purposes.
Only about 42% of the residents in rural areas and 88% of city dwellers have pure drinking water.
Forestry
Output from forestry also has declined because of resource degradation. Overexploitation over the past three
decades has reduced the country’s timber resources by one-half. At present only 2% of the land remains
forested, and an estimated 50 square kilometres of forest are lost each year. This loss of forest aggravates
erosion, the silting of dams and flooding, and the loss of biodiversity. Among the endangered forests are
Kakamega Forest, Mau Forest and Karura Forest. In response to ecological disruption, activists have pressed

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with some success for policies that encourage sustainable resource use. The late 2004 Nobel Peace Prize went to
the Kenyan environmentalist, Wangari Maathai, best known for organizing a grassroots movement in which
thousands of people were mobilized over the years to plant 30 million trees in Kenya and elsewhere and to
protest forest clearance for luxury development.

Deforestation
Deforestation and soil erosion are attributable to growing population pressure, which creates increased demands
for food production and firewood. Drought and desertification (to which 83% of Kenya's land area is
vulnerable) also threaten potential productive agricultural lands. By the mid 1980s, Kenya had lost 70% of its
original mangrove areas, with the remainder covering an estimated 53,000–62,000 hectares. In addition to
pollutants from industry, the nation's cities produce about 1.1 million tons of solid wastes.

Wildlife
There are a wide variety of wildlife species in Kenya, whose habitats are threatened by encroachment of man.
The late Michael Werikhe aka Rhino Man, pioneered Kenyan wildlife conservation. Werikhe walked thousands
of miles and raised millions of dollars to fund White Rhino conservation projects. The Blue Wildebeest is
currently abundant, but like other more endangered species feels the pressure of habitat reduction. In an effort to
preserve wildlife, the government has set aside a sizable acreage as national parks and game preserves. In 2001,
6% of Kenya's total land area was protected. Game hunting and trade in ivory and skins have been banned, but
poaching threatens leopards, cheetahs, lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, and other species. As of 2001, 43 species
of mammals and 24 bird species were endangered and 130 plant species were threatened with extinction.
Endangered species include the Sokoke scops owl, Taita blue-banded papilio, Tana River mangabey, Tana
River red colobus, green sea turtle, and hawksbill turtle. There are 18 extinct species, including the Kenyan
rocky river frog and the Kenya oribi.

Poverty
Widespread poverty in many parts of the country has greatly lead to over-exploitation of the limited resources in
Kenya. Cutting down of trees to create more land for cultivation, charcoal burning business, quarrying among other
social and occupational practices are the major threats of environmental degradation due to poverty in rural Kenya.
Regions like Murang'a, Bondo and Meru are affected by this environmental issue.

Floods
There is the risk of seasonal flooding during the winter months, July to late August. In September 2012, thousands
of people were displaced in parts of Kenya’s Rift Valley Province as floodwaters submerged houses and schools and
destroyed crops. It was especially dangerous as the floods caused latrines to overflow, contaminating numerous

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water sources. The floods can also cause mudslides and two children were killed in September 2012 following a
mudslide in the Baringo District, which also displaced 46 families.
Techniques of Environmental Management

1) Environmental Education
2) Environmental Monitoring
3) Environmental Legislation
4) Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA.

Environmental Monitoring

Environmental monitoring describes the processes and activities that need to take place to characterise and monitor
the quality of the environment. Environmental monitoring is used in the preparation of environmental impact
assessments, as well as in many circumstances in which human activities carry a risk of harmful effects on the
natural environment. All monitoring strategies and programmes have reasons and justifications which are often
designed to establish the current status of an environment or to establish trends in environmental parameters. In all
cases the results of monitoring will be reviewed, analysed statistically and published

Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA.

The EIA process is intended to improve environmental protection. It informs the decision making processes by
which public bodies, referred to as ‘competent authorities’, determine whether certain projects should go ahead. It
provides these bodies with a written statement about the project’s effects on the environment that are likely to be
significant (the environmental statement or ‘ES’), together with the comments of the public and statutory
environmental organisations.

Environmental Problems

Our environment is constantly changing. There is no denying that. However, as our environment
changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that surround it. With a
massive influx of natural disasters, warming and cooling periods, different types of weather
patterns and much more, people need to be aware of what types of environmental problems our
planet is facing.

Global warming has become an undisputed fact about our current livelihoods; our planet is
warming up and we are definitely part of the problem. However, this isn’t the only
environmental problem that we should be concerned about. All across the world, people are
facing a wealth of new and challenging environmental problems every day. Some of them are
small and only affect a few ecosystems, but others are drastically changing the landscape of what
we already know.

Our planet is poised at the brink of a severe environmental crisis. Current environmental
problems make us vulnerable to disasters and tragedies, now and in the future. We are in a state
of planetary emergency, with environmental problems piling up high around us. Unless we

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address the various issues prudently and seriously we are surely doomed for disaster. Current
environmental problems require urgent attention.

Major Current Environmental Problems

1. Pollution: Pollution of air, water and soil require millions of years to recoup. Industry and
motor vehicle exhaust are the number one pollutants. Heavy metals, nitrates and plastic are
toxins responsible for pollution. While water pollution is caused by oil spill, acid rain, urban
runoff; air pollution is caused by various gases and toxins released by industries and factories
and combustion of fossil fuels; soil pollution is majorly caused by industrial waste that deprives
soil from essential nutrients.

2. Global Warming: Climate changes like global warming is the result of human practices like
emission of Greenhouse gases. Global warming leads to rising temperatures of the oceans and
the earth’ surface causing melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels and also unnatural patterns
of precipitation such as flash floods, excessive snow or desertification.

3. Overpopulation: The population of the planet is reaching unsustainable levels as it faces

shortage of resources like water, fuel and food. Population explosion in less developed and
developing countries is straining the already scarce resources. Intensive agriculture practiced to
produce food damages the environment through use of chemical fertilizer, pesticides and
insecticides. Overpopulation is one of the crucial current environmental problem.

4. Natural Resource Depletion: Natural resource depletion is another crucial current

environmental problems. Fossil fuel consumption results in emission of Greenhouse gases,
which is responsible for global warming and climate change. Globally, people are taking efforts
to shift to renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, biogas and geothermal energy. The cost
of installing the infrastructure and maintaining these sources has plummeted in the recent years.

5. Waste Disposal: The over consumption of resources and creation of plastics are creating a
global crisis of waste disposal. Developed countries are notorious for producing an excessive
amount of waste or garbage and dumping their waste in the oceans and, less developed countries.
Nuclear waste disposal has tremendous health hazards associated with it. Plastic, fast food,
packaging and cheap electronic wastes threaten the well being of humans. Waste disposal is one
of urgent current environmental problem.

6. Climate Change: Climate change is yet another environmental problem that has surfaced in
last couple of decades. It occurs due to rise in global warming which occurs due to increase in
temperature of atmosphere by burning of fossil fuels and release of harmful gases by industries.
Climate change has various harmful effects but not limited to melting of polar ice, change in
seasons, occurrence of new diseases, frequent occurrence of floods and change in overall
weather scenario.

7. Loss of Biodiversity: Human activity is leading to the extinction of species and habitats and
and loss of bio-diversity. Eco systems, which took millions of years to perfect, are in danger
when any species population is decimating. Balance of natural processes like pollination is

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crucial to the survival of the eco-system and human activity threatens the same. Another example
is the destruction of coral reefs in the various oceans, which support the rich marine life.

8. Deforestation: Our forests are natural sinks of carbon dioxide and produce fresh oxygen as
well as helps in regulating temperature and rainfall. At present forests cover 30% of the land but
every year tree cover is lost amounting to the country of Panama due to growing population
demand for more food, shelter and cloth. Deforestation simply means clearing of green cover and
make that land available for residential, industrial or commercial purpose.

9. Ocean Acidification: It is a direct impact of excessive production of CO2. 25% of CO2

produced by humans. The ocean acidity has increased by the last 250 years but by 2100, it may
shoot up by 150%. The main impact is on shellfish and plankton in the same way as human
osteoporosis.

10. Ozone Layer Depletion: The ozone layer is an invisible layer of protection around the planet
that protects us from the sun’s harmful rays. Depletion of the crucial Ozone layer of the
atmosphere is attributed to pollution caused by Chlorine and Bromide found in Chloro-floro
carbons (CFC’s). Once these toxic gases reach the upper atmosphere, they cause a hole in the
ozone layer, the biggest of which is above the Antarctic. The CFC’s are banned in many
industries and consumer products. Ozone layer is valuable because it prevents harmful UV
radiation from reaching the earth. This is one of the most important current environmental
problem.

11. Acid Rain: Acid rain occurs due to the presence of certain pollutants in the atmosphere. Acid
rain can be caused due to combustion of fossil fuels or erupting volcanoes or rotting vegetation
which release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Acid rain is a known 
environmental problem that can have serious effect on human health, wildlife and aquatic
species.

12. Water Pollution: Clean drinking water is becoming a rare commodity. Water is becoming
an economic and political issue as the human population fights for this resource. One of the
options suggested is using the process of desalinization. Industrial development is filling our
rivers seas and oceans with toxic pollutants which are a major threat to human health.

13. Urban Sprawl: Urban sprawl refers to migration of population from high density urban
areas to low density rural areas which results in spreading of city over more and more rural land.
Urban sprawl results in land degradation, increased traffic, environmental issues and health
issues. The ever growing demand of land displaces natural environment consisting of flora and
fauna instead of being replaced.

14: Public Health Issues: The current environmental problems pose a lot of risk to health of
humans, and animals. Dirty water is the biggest health risk of the world and poses threat to the
quality of life and public health. Run-off to rivers carries along toxins, chemicals and disease
carrying organisms. Pollutants cause respiratory disease like Asthma and cardiac-vascular
problems. High temperatures encourage the spread of infectious diseases like Dengue.

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15. Genetic Engineering: Genetic modification of food using biotechnology is called genetic
engineering. Genetic modification of food results in increased toxins and diseases as genes from
an allergic plant can transfer to target plant. Genetically modified crops can cause serious
environmental problems as an engineered gene may prove toxic to wildlife. Another drawback is
that increased use of toxins to make insect resistant plant can cause resultant organisms to
become resistant to antibiotics.

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