The draft National Land Policy

Contents | 1.0 Introduction | 2.0 Issues and Policy Statements | 3.0 Implementation - Legislative Measures | 4.0 Implementation - Institutional Measures | Appendices

APPENDIX C

STATUS OF POLICIES TO BE DEVELOPED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THIS POLICY

The National Land Policy is designated as the Level One Policy. All lower level policies are to be developed within its policy framework, and consistent with the National Development Strategy and other national-level policies (for example, the draft Environmental Policy, and the Physical Planning Policy, which is being drafted at present).

Level 2.

Rural Land Policy:

To be addressed within this National Land Policy.

Peri-Urban Land Policy:

A Peri-Urban Growth Policy has been drafted, and has started the consultative process preparatory to cabinet approval.

Urban Land Policy:

To be addressed upon completion of the National Land Policy. However, structure plans are in place in most urban areas, providing a defacto spatial base for policy decisions. Moreover, a Physical Planning and Development Control Act, consolidating much current land-related legislation, is to be prepared in 1997-98.

Level 3.

Under Rural Land Policy:

Soil Conservation Policv:

Non-existent. However, the subject is being addressed within the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification.

Agriculture Land Use Policy:

A draft National Agricultural Land Use Policy was prepared in 1994, but has not been submitted to cabinet. A new draft, capturing many of the recommendations of the 1994 draft, should be prepared under this hierarchical structure.

Forestry Policy

The process of policy preparation has now begun.

Mining Policy

A working paper towards a policy has been prepared.

Biodiversity Policy

At present being addressed under the Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA).

Rural Water Policy

A policy was prepared by the Rural Water Supply Board, dated October 1994, entitled ‘Development of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation in Swaziland.’ A draft Water Act arising from this policy is currently before cabinet. It proposes a National Water Authority to administer the country's water resource in an integrated fashion.

Rural Settlement, Environmental Health and Infrastructure Policy

No official policies available. Draft policy elements appear in various documents, such as the NPDP, Maguga resettlement policy, and the draft Agricultural Land Use Policy. Resettlement is being addressed under a current MOAC initiative entitled the "Legal and Institutional Assistance to Land Resettlement Programme". A draft Resettlement Bill is being prepared under this same initiative.

Tourism Policy

A draft policy was prepared some years ago, but a new policy is currently in the process of formulation.

Rural Energy Policy

The framework for an overall National Energy Policy is currently being formulated. A task force will be charged with producing the final policy.

Under Urban Land Policy:

Residential Land Policy

An Urban Housing Policy received cabinet approval in 1993. A Plot Pricing Policy has been formulated within MHUD which should be revisited as part of this exercise and examined in the context of the obligations under Habitat II.

Commercial, Retail and Industrial Land Policy

Non-existent. However, there are several legislative (and therefore de facto) policy provisions concerning solid and industrial waste: the 1996 Solid Waste Disposal Regulations under the SEA Act are of particular relevance.

Green Belt, Urban Agriculture and Recreational Land Policy

Non-existent, save for de facto policies incorporated in existing Structure Plans.

Level 4

Under Agriculture Land Use:

Livestock Production Policy

A Livestock Development Policy has been submitted to cabinet and was endorsed in 1994. The policy provides detailed policies, principles and strategies to improve livestock production, with a strong emphasis on technical solutions.

Crop Production Policy.

Non-existent.