About Us
The Directorate of Nature and Environment is a dedicated government agency that prepares, designs, implements and evaluates policies that lead to a sustainable healthy environment for people and environment in Aruba where the main goal is to preserve, protect and improve natural and environmental qualities.
The Directorate of Nature and Environment (DNM) was established on January 1, 2012, according to the National Decree of November 30, 2012. The DNM is primarily a policy entity of which its core tasks are:
- Policy making
- Research and monitoring
- Inspection
Departments
DNM consists of the following departments:
- General Support Department
- Legal Support Department
- Communication Support Department
- Core Policy Department
- Research and Monitoring Department
- Inspection Department
The management of DNM and its responsibilities lies with the director
The Policy Department
The Policy Department is in charge of core policy and information generation for policy formulation, evaluation and advise.
The Research and Monitoring Department
The Research and Monitoring Department focuses on research and analysis in the field of nature and environment. The research is used to develop environmental policies.
The Inspection Department
The Inspection Department enforces the current law and regulations, permits and agreements in regards to nature and the environment. This department registers complaints regarding nature and environment. This department is autonomous in drafting official reports for sanctions or prosecution.
Historical Development
In 1992, the Directorate for Public Housing, Spatial Development and Environment was established. This directorate was reorganized in 2004 into the Directorate of Infrastructure and Planning. Since November 2001 until January 2012, all environmental policy tasks were directly the responsibility of the Minister in charge of the Environment Affairs.
For the enforcement of some environmental regulations, the Environmental Police was added to the Municipal Solid Waste Management Department in 1988. The Environmental Police were in charge with surveillance, detection and public awareness on solid waste.
Since 1995, the Directorate of Agriculture, Animal Husbanry and Fishery was assigned as the CITES authority for flora and the Veterinary Service was assigned as the CITES authority for the fauna on Aruba.
Since November 2005 until December 2011, the Environmental Inspection Department has functioned as part of the Public Health and Environment Inspectorate.
DOW is responsible for the treatment of sewage, maintenance of riverbeds, beaches, green areas, roadsides and roads. In regards to hazardous material, DOW manages a depot for explosives. Inspection of medicine is responsible for the monitoring of importation of insecticide and biochemical weapons.
Serlimar (Municipal Solid Waste Management Department of Aruba) is responsible for the collection of different waste streams and manages the landfill Parkietenbos.
National Coast Guard is responsible for the monitoring and detection of marine nature and environmental regulations.
The Department of Nature and Environment (DNM) was formally established since January 1st, 2012.
