Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations, 2023.

These Rules are framed in exercise of the power conferred under Section 248 of the Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 2023 to facilitate implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the Act. They consist 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 objectives of these Rules. Chapter 2 contains further powers and functions of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Department of Forests and Park Services (Department) and the forestry officials. It also provides for procedures in respect of inspection, search, arrest, seizure and confiscation. Chapter 3 makes rules relating to State Reserved Forest Land including declaration of Protected Area, preparation of management plan, conditions for forestry clearance, monitoring of forest produce and payment for ecosystem services. Chapter 4 provides for rules relating to timber extraction, procedure for establishment, cancellation, suspension of community forest, institutional forest, industrial forest, production forest and urban forest. It also contains provisions relating to Forest fires, pests and diseases, forestry research and coordination.
Chapter 5 contains rules relating to conservation and breeding of wild flora and fauna, species conservation, species conservation, managing spread of invasive, alien, or exotic species. Rules for fishing in State Reserved Forest Land are also provided. Chapter 6 provides for soil conservation, watershed management, wetland conservation and waste management. Chapter 7 makes rules regarding harvesting and allotment of timber and non-wood forest produce. Chapter 8 provides for rules for forest based industry including registration and operations. Chapter 9 contains rules pertaining to import, export, re-export, transit of forest produce. Chapter 10 contains the offences and the penalties for the same.