Forest and Range Resources Act, 2025 (Act No. 25 of 2025).

This Act, comprising 90 sections organized into VIII Parts, aims to promote the sustainable use, protection, conservation and management of forest and range resources in Botswana, control harmful pollutants, prevent land degradation and desertification, and safeguard the economic, social, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations in accordance with international environmental conventions. Under Section 5 it is established the Department of Forestry and Range Resources, as the (i) principal Management Authority for the management of forest and range resources. It also acts as the Management Authority for the issuance of CITES permits, in coordination with the Scientific Authority; (ii) the principal Competent Authority and focal point for the regulation and protection of forests and range resources. In addition, it will also perform the following main functions (i) ensure the implementation and administration of this Act; (ii) formulate policy, programmes, strategies and plans for the management of forest and range resources; (iii) manage, protect and conserve the forest and range resources having regard to the immediate and long term economic, social, cultural, spiritual, and ecological benefits they may confer on Botswana; (iv) plan for the use of the forest and range resources of the Government, so that the production of timber, non-wood forest product and forage, the grazing of livestock and the realization of fisheries, wildlife, water, outdoor recreation and other natural resources and biodiversity values are coordinated and integrated, in cooperation with other ministries and agencies of the Government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and communities; (v) monitor and investigate the use of forest resource; (vi) conserve, utilize, protect and sustainably manage forests and forest lands through harvesting, regeneration and improvement of forest resources, protection against extinction, fires, pests, diseases, illegal harvesting and damage, regulation of access to forest lands, conservation of wild flora and other resources, preservation of representative natural forest areas, promotion of recreation and tourism on state forest lands, and protection against invasive plant species. The Department may facilitate organized communities living closest to forests or forest resources to participate in the management of forest or forest resources, also providing financial measures to enable such participation.
Part IV regulates the declaration, boundaries and management of forest management areas and forest reserves, protects forest resources and endangered plant species, promotes sustainable forest planning and community participation, controls activities and resource harvesting through permits, allows authorized forest management leases, and establishes enforcement measures to prevent and address illegal activities and forest damage. Part V aims to prevent and control fires on forest and range lands by regulating burning, requiring fire reporting and firebreaks, assessing and reducing fire hazards, restricting risky activities, and empowering authorities and the public to control fires and protect lives, property and natural resources. Part VI regulates permits for harvesting, gathering, transporting and trading forest resources, establishes permit conditions and fees, controls the import and movement of invasive and endangered plant species, and limits subsistence gathering to non-commercial use. Part VII defines offences and penalties for illegal harvesting of forest and range resources, unlawful pollution, and obstruction of authorised officers, including fines, imprisonment, civil liability and administrative corrective measures.
The Annexes reproduce the texts of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements that the Act gives effect to and implements.