The Department of Environmental Affairs falls under the Ministry of Mines, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs. It has the mandate to provide cross-sectoral coordination in environment and natural resources management through monitoring, overseeing compliance, provision of technical and information services and facilitating activities implemented by different stakeholders. The main objectives of the Department are to: 

• Promote coordination and collaboration in sound utilization and management of the environment and natural resources with full participation of government line ministries, private sector, NGOs, communities and other relevant stakeholders at district, national, regional & international levels;
• To promote development, implementation and compliance of environment and natural resource policies, programs, legislation and other related instruments; 
• Promote capacity building in environmental education, public awareness and participation in sound Environment and Natural Resources Management (ENRM) practices at all levels; 
• Promote and ensure participatory development and implementation of environment and natural resource management planning &monitoring tools;