Function of Department

Functions and Powers of the Council

The Council shall -

• Co-ordinate and supervise the enforcement of the provisions of this Act and other laws relating to the environment in the Province.
• Approve comprehensive provincial environmental and sustainable development policies and ensure their implementation within the frame- work of a conservation strategy and sustainable development plan as may be approved by Government from time to time.
• Approve the Sindh Environmental Quality Standards.
• Provide guidelines for the protection and conservation of species, habitats, and biodiversity in general, and for the conservation of renewable and non-renewable resources.
• Coordinate integration of the principles and concerns of sustainable development into socio-economic and development policies, plans and programs at the provincial, district and local levels.
• Consider the annual Sindh Environment report and give appropriate directions thereon and cause it to be laid before the Provincial Assembly.
• Deal with inter-provincial and federal-provincial issues, and liaise and coordinate with other Provinces through appropriate inter-provincial forums regarding formulation and implementation of standards and policies relating to environmental matters with an inter-provincial impact.
• Provide guidelines for biosafety and for the use of genetically modified organisms.
• Assist the Federal Government or Federal Agency in implementation and or administration of various provision of United Nation Convention on Laws on Seas, 1980 (UNCLOS) in coastal waters of the province.

The Council may, either itself or on the request of any person or organization, direct the Agency or any Government Agency to prepare, submit, promote or implement projects for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, the prevention and control of pollution, and the sustainable development of resources or to undertake research in any specified aspect of environment.