National Forestry Policy
National Forestry Council has approved the National Forest Policy in 1977 and has been certified by the National Land Council in 1978. This policy was amended in November, 1992 to address issues raised by the international community on the importance of biodiversity conservation and utilization of genetic resources and the role of local communities on the development of genetic resources and the role of local communities on forest development. Acceptance of this country's forestry policy will strengthen the relationship and cooperation between the Federal and State governments in the development of the forestry sector. The important aspects outlined in the National Forest Policy are:
- Declare as Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK) for sufficient areas and strategically located throughout the country, based on the concept of rational land use. HSK are classified under four main functions will be handled as:
a. PROTECTION FORESTS to ensure the stability of the country's climatic and physical conditions, the control of water resources, soil fertility, environmental quality, biodiversity conservation and reduce flood damage and erosion to rivers and agricultural land.
b. WORK FORESTS for the continued supply of forest products, at reasonable rates in the economy of the country to the needs of agriculture, domestic, industrial and export.
c. AMENITY FORESTS to maintain a sufficient area as a recreational, eco-tourism and to increase public awareness about the forest.
d. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FORESTS for research, education and preservation of biological diversity.
- Managing HSK in order to maximize the benefits of social, economic and environmental in the national interest in line with the principles of sustainable management.
- To implement a planned program of forest development through the forest conservation and preservation operational practices based on appropriate silviculture.
- Promoting efficient harvesting and the use of work forests for the maximum economic benefits for all types of forest products and encourage the forest industrial development in line with the trend of forest resources and employment opportunities.
- Promoting the planned forest industrial development towards the production of finished goods and semi-finished products with value-added for local consumption and export.
- Aggressively encourage the participation of natives in wood based industries in line with government policy.
- Establish forest plantations of local species and abroad to meet the wood supply from natural forests.
- Increase the involvement of local communities to actively participate in various forestry development projects and maintaining their involvement in forest farming programs.
- Increasing non-timber forest products through the practices of scientific management and sustainable to meet local demand and needs of related industries.
- Implementing a comprehensive program of forestry training at all levels of public and private sectors to ensure adequate number of trained manpower to meet the needs of forestry and wood-based industries.
- Encourage private investment in forest development through the establishment of private forest plantation area.
- Managing and supporting programs of intensive research in the field of forestry and forest products to improve forest benefits to the maximum.
- To promote education in forestry and handle publicity services and development to enhance the understanding of the range of forest benefits.
- The protection of biodiversity and the preservation of a species of unique flora and fauna.
- Develop a community forestry program to meet the needs of society both inside and outside the city.
- Reserve specific areas for forestry education and other scientific studies.
- Forging closer international cooperation in forestry for the benefit through technology transfer and exchange of scientific information.