Despite these challenges there have been some significant achievements. These can be
seen in the very fact of establishing a separate ministry responsible for the
environment through the passing of the Environmental Protection Act and supporting
legislation such as environmental standards, pollution tax, and a ban on leaded
gasoline. Another positive sign can be seen in the government establishing a drinking
water quality standard, ambient air quality standard in response to a court decision.
NGOs and civil society have had an important positive influence.