7/31/2019 Environmental Crime - Definition
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WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME?
The Constitution of Kenya and the Environmental Management
andCoordination Act, 1999, not only grant every person in Kenya the
right to aclean and healthy environment, but also impose the duty
to safeguard andenhance the environment.
Laws dealing with various sectors of the environment including
water, forestry,wildlife, public health, fisheries, etc establish
various environmental offences.However, these offences have been
treated mainly as misdemeanors (minorcrimes) as opposed to felonies
(major crimes).
Environmental crime can be broadly defined as illegal acts which
directlyharm the environment (and human health), and are punishable
by law.
Environmental crime is a serious and growing concern. Not only
does it harmthe environment, but it often has an impact on the
economy and on generalquality of life as well.
