Forest Code (No.477-II of 2003)

The present Forest Code shall regulate public relations in the area of tenure, use, and disposal of the forest fund as well as set the legal framework for preservation, protection, reproduction, enhancing environmental and resource potential of the forest fund and its rational use. Regulation of forest legal relations shall be executed based on the principle that forest is one of the most significant components of biosphere that possess global environmental, social and economic importance. Forest legislation shall be based on the following principles : 1) acknowledgement of the national importance of forests that implement climate regulation, environment creation, field and soil protection, water protection and sanitary-hygienic functions ; 2) sustainable forest development (continuous increase of afforested areas) ; 3) preservation of biological diversity of forests, natural and reserved fund objects, cultural and natural heritage ; 4). multifunctional forest use ; 5) rational, continuous, non-exhaustive use of forest resources ; 6) state regulation and supervision in the area of forest fund preservation, protection, use, reforestation and afforestation ; 7) delineation of functions related to forest use regulation and functions related to felling for the main purpose and processing of the felling wood ; 8) compensation of damage caused by violation of forest legislation ; 9) fee-based use of forest resources ; 10) accessibility of information pertaining to the status of forest fund ; 11) involvement of population and society unions in preservation and protection of the forest fund. The Law consists of 9 Sections that contain 20 Chapters. Section 1 (chapts. 1-2) lays down general provisions. Section 2 (chapts. 3-4) regards public administration and control in the area of protection and use of the forest fund, reforestation and afforestation. Section 3 (chapts. 5-6) regards the right of forest tenure and forest use. Section 4 (chapt. 7) deals with organization of forest management. Section 5 (chapts. 8-9) deals with forest management planning, state forest fund accounting, state forest cadastre and state forest monitoring. Section 6 (chapts. 10-14) deals with forest protection, reforestation, afforestation and forest seed farming. Section 7 (chapts. 15-16) concerns use of the forest fund. Section 8 (chapts. 17-18) concern economic mechanism of forest fund protection, preservation and use, reforestation and afforestation. Section 9 (chapts. 19-20) regards violations of forest legislation.