The broad-based National Environment Management Policy,
adopted in 1994, expressly incorporates the principles of the NWP in order to maximise
consistency between the instruments. On the basis of both Policies, new framework environmental
legislation was enacted (the National Environment Statute No.4 of 1995) which contains general
environmental provisions applicable to wetlands as well as specific measures applicable to wetland
habitat types. Over the same period, the Directorate of Water Development developed the Water
Action Plan in 1994, which led to the enactment of modern legislation