Government policies on agriculture, forestry, water, energy and industry have tacitly encouraged over-use of the country's natural resources. The consequent exploitation of natural resources has had a negative impact on productivity by raising production and maintenance costs and aggravating the problem of biodiversity conservation.
Industry plays a vital role in the economic growth of a country. The industrialisation process is essential for modernisation, income generation, employment opportunites, industrial development and the production of other necessary facilities. Recognising the importance of environmental considerations in industrial development, HMGN endorsed the guidelines on 24 July 1995 and published it in the Gazette on 6 November 1995 (vol.45, no.29, 1995).
