(a) all elements of the environment are linked and inter-related, therefore environmental management must be integrated and the best practicable environmental option pursued; (b) environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern; (c) the participation of all interested and affected parties in environmental governance must be promoted and all people must be given an opportunity to develop the understanding, skills and capacity necessary for achieving equitable and effective participation; (d) environmental education, environmental awareness and the sharing of knowledge and experience must be promoted in order to increase the capacity of communities to address environmental issues and engender values, attitudes, skills and behaviour consistent with environmental management; (e) development must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. (f) anticipated negative impact on the environment and on people’s environmental rights shall be prevented, and where they cannot be altogether prevented, be minimised and remedied; (g) any person who causes pollution or environmental degradation shall meet the cost of remedying such pollution or environmental degradation and any resultant adverse health effects, as well as the cost of preventing, controlling or minimising further pollution, environmental damage or adverse health effects; (h) global and international responsibilities relating to the environment must be discharged in the national interest; (i) sensitive, vulnerable and highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems require specific attention in management and planning procedures, especially where they are subject to significant human resource usage and development pressure. (3) The environmental rights and principles of environmental management set out in subsections (1) and (2) shall— (a) serve as the general framework within which plans for the management of the environment shall be formulated; and (b) serve as guidelines for the exercise of any function concerning the protection or management of the environment in terms of this Act or any other enactment; and (c) guide the interpretation, administration and implementation of any other law concerning the protection or management of the environment. 5 General functions of Minister (1) Subject to this Act, it shall be the duty of the Minister⎯ (a) to regulate the management of the environment and to promote, co-ordinate and monitor the protection of the environment and the control of pollution; and (b) to regulate the activities of all government agencies and other agencies to the extent that their activities impact on the environment; and (c) to lay before Parliament a report on the state of the environment at the end of every period of five years; and 12