National Environmental Protection Act, 2007 (Bhutan)

The National Environmental Protection Act of Bhutan establishes a system to conserve and protect the environment through the National Environment Commission or its successors so as to independently regulate and promote sustainable development in an equitable manner. It expressly provides for the fundamental right and duty to a safe and healthy environment, intergenerational equity, the precautionary principle, polluter pays principle and principle for payment of environmental services, among others. It provides that the National Environment Commission shall be an independent authority and the highest decision‐making body on all matters relating to the environment and its management in the country. Moreover, the Government may establish an Environmental Tribunal to hear specific environmental disputes, when the Commission decides not hear the disputes. It also empowers the National Environmental Commission to take all measures to prevent environmental harm. It also provides for protective measures against certain acts that are harmful to the environment, such as the handling of hazardous substances, discharge of environmental pollutants and waste management. It also provides for protection of forest biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. It also directs the allocation of sufficient funds to finance environmental protection.