Forest Policy.

The Forest Policy is a sectorial policy applicable at the national level. It sets out the primary goals and priorities pertaining to the conservation and protection of forests and the sustainable management of forest lands and watersheds; provides the strategies and tools for implementation of these goals, including community participation, the promotion and regulation of forest industries, forest research, public education and forestry training, incentives, funding, and monitoring; and outlines the mandates and roles of the Government agencies involved in forest land management.
The Policy seeks to establish and efficiently implement efforts related to the conservation and protection of forest, the management of forested watersheds, and management of forest lands. To do so, the instrument provides strategies and tools for implementation related to community participation, public awareness and environmental education, forest research, cooperative management agreements, regulation of forest industries and forest land use, promotion of investment in forestry, forestry sector training and human resources development, as well as planning and monitoring.Further the document states that forests must be protected from all threats including damage from fires, illegal cutting and theft of trees, illegal hunting of birds and animals, soil erosion and other processes which damage soil, water, plants, birds, animals and landscape features.
The Policy outlines the mandates and roles of the main Government authorities and agencies responsible for the management of forest lands.