Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 2023.

This Act provides for the regulation of forests and conservation of nature in Bhutan. It consists of 11 chapters: 1. Preliminary; 2. Powers and functions; 3. State Reserved Forest Land; 4. Forest Management and Protection; 5. Nature Conservation; 6. Soil, Water, and Waste management; 7. Allotment of Timber and Non-wood Forest Produce; 8. Forest-based Industry; 9. Trade and Transport of Forest Produce; 10. Offence and Penalty; and 11. Miscellaneous.
Chapter 1 contains the title, date of commencement, extent and the objects. The objects of the Act are to protect, conserve, and enhance the environment and forests in a sustainable manner. Chapter 2 lays down the powers and functions of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Department of Forests and Park Services (Department) and the forestry officials. Chapter 3 makes provisions relating to State Reserved Forest Land and any activity carried out therein shall require forestry clearance. It also provides for declaration of Protected Area and management thereof. Any forest produce in State Reserved Forest Land shall belong to the State. The Department may initiate mechanisms for realizing resilience against climate change, payment for ecosystem services and green accounting. Chapter 4 provides for facilitation of Community Forests and management of private forest, institutional forest, industrial forest, production forest and urban forest. It also contains provisions relating to Forest fires, pests and diseases, forestry research, and monitoring and evaluation.
Chapter 5 prohibits killing, injuring, collecting or capturing of wild flora and fauna. It allows for conservation breeding and species conservation of wild flora and fauna. Introduction of invasive, alien, or exotic species in the State Reserved Forest Land is prohibited. Chapter 6 provides for soil conservation, watershed management, wetland conservation and waste management. Chapter 7 governs the harvesting and allotment of timber and non-wood forest produce. Chapter 8 requires the Department to facilitate and promote establishment of integrated wood-based industry for value addition and minimization of timber waste. All forest-based industry must be registered with the Department. Chapter 9 states that the Department shall regulate import, export, re-export, trade, or transit of all forest produce. It imposes restrictions on import and export of timber, wild flora and wild fauna. Chapter 10 contains the offences and the penalties for the same. Chapter 11, inter-alia, provides for levy of fees and service charges, and contains the definitions.