Resource information
This Act makes provision with respect to the procedures and processes in accordance with which land use in a planning area or zone are prescribed, managed, monitored and evaluated. The Act sets out the fundamental principles of land use, establishes land use planning authorities and provides with respect to land planing procedures and authorizations. The Act sets out matters to be included in all land use plans (also relating to water and forest resources) and sets out requirements of environmental protection.For the purpose of this Act, planning authorities shall include – (a) a village council; (b) a district council; (c) the National Land Use Commission; and (d) any such body or organ which the Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, declare to be a planning authority or joint planning authority. The Commission, established under this Act, shall be the national land use planning authority.All land use plans prepared by relevant planning authorities under this Act shall be relevant at each level, including proposals on the matters relating to – (a) determination or designation of land for various uses including cropland, rangeland, forestland and water sources, fisheries, farming and industrial, factory and workshop land; (b) preservation of protected or traditional and other sensitive areas, parks, game reserves, coastal ecosystems including swamps, beach land and marine parks, biodiversity colonies and other flora and fauna; (c) preservation of the quality and flow of water in a dam, lake, river or aquifer, etc. Planning authorities shall have special powers in respect of land such as compulsory land acquisition, re-arrangement and readjustment of land, readjustment of tenure rights, demarcation, subdivision and consolidation.The Act also provides with respect to enforcement notices, land restoration orders and other compliance and enforcement mechanisms and appeal against planning decisions.
