Forestry Policy 2010.

Part 3 of the present Forestry Policy 2010 establishes that the long-term vision for forestry is to move towards an integrated forest sector that achieves sustainable, rights-based management of forests for economic, social, cultural, aesthetic, and environmental benefits for the present and future generations of Sierra Leone, and for humankind in general. To achieve this vision the following principles are suggested in Part 4: Sustainability; Rights-based Governance; Economic Benefits and Livelihoods; Integration; Capacity Development; Research/Science-based Management of Resources; Public Awareness and Education; Adaptive Management; Consideration of Cultural Heritage.
Part 5.1 contains specific objectives for Forest Land Management: Policy Statement 1 on Land Use Planning: Engage in land use planning processes for forestlands with relevant stakeholders; Policy Statement 2 on Forest Reserve Management: Support the development of collaborative partnerships with rural communities and other relevant stakeholders for the sustainable management of Forest Reserve forests to ensure a sustainable stream of economic, social and environmental benefits; Policy Statement 3 on Community Forest Management: Support the establishment, expansion and management of community forests for economic benefits and forest ecosystem health; Policy Statement 4 on Private Forestland Management: Promote and contribute to the establishment, expansion and sustainable management of private forests; Policy Statement 5 on Non-Forest Reserve Public Lands: Support the sustainable management of forests on public lands outside of the Forest Reserve for economic benefits and ecosystem health; Policy Statement 6 on Wetlands Management in Forest Reserve Protected Areas: Manage Wetlands in Protected Areas consistent with the policies and strategies outlined in the Conservation and Wildlife policy; Policy Statement 7 on Wetlands Management outside Forest Reserve/ Protected Areas: Develop a shared vision between relevant government agencies to support sustainable wetland management and conservation.
Part 5.2 lists the objectives for Forest-based Industry and Products: Policy Statement 8 on Timber-based Enterprises: Contribute to the sustainable development of timber-based enterprises through effective resource management, monitoring and regulation; Policy Statement 9 on non-timber forest product-based Enterprises: Contribute to the sustainable development of non-timber forest product (NTFP)-based enterprises through effective resource management, monitoring and regulation, and coordination with relevant agencies; Policy Statement 10 on Distribution of Benefits from Forest Resources: Increase and distribute the economic benefits derived from sustainably managed forest resources equitably and consistent with the Forestry Act; Policy Statement 11 on Ecotourism: Contribute to and support the development of ecologically sustainable, eco-tourism enterprises.
Part 5.3 sets out the objectives for Ecosystem Conservation and Management: Policy Statement 12 on Wildlife Management and Conservation: Manage, conserve and protect wildlife and wildlife habitat consistent with the Forestry Division’s Conservation and Wildlife Policy; Policy Statement 13 on Watershed Management: Contribute to ecosystem health through the management and protection of watershed areas within the Forest Reserve and Community Forests; Policy Statement 14 on Climate Change: Contribute to the development and implementation of a national climate change strategy. Part 5.4 establishes the objectives for Education and Awareness: Policy Statement 15 on Public Awareness: Promote public awareness of the importance of sustainable management of forest resources and the value of the forests; Policy Statement 16 on Forestry Education: Support stakeholder education related to technical management of forest resources that is consistent with best management practices; Part 5.5 outlines the objectives for Research and Monitoring: Policy Statement 17 on Research: Adopt, adapt and utilise best practices and science-based research to support and improve sustainable forest management; Policy Statement 18 on Monitoring and Evaluation: Support the formulation and utilisation of criteria and indicators to monitor ecosystem processes, performance of forest managers, and assess impacts of forest management activities and ecosystem processes. Part 5.6 last not least prescribes objectives with a view to Capacity Building: Policy Statement 19 on Capacity Building for Forestry Division Staff and Stakeholders: Increase the capacity of the Forestry Division and relevant stakeholders to meaningfully engage and contribute to the management of forest resources.
All 19 Policy Statements list a set of specific strategies to implement and ultimately accomplish these statements. For example, Policy Statement 16 on Forestry Education, lists, inter alia, the strategies as follows: 1) Support the development of curricula and provide hands-on training of best management practices to youth and community groups involved in reforestation activities; 2) Develop appropriate gender and culturally sensitive extension materials; 3.) Collaborate with the university to develop training and education curricula consistent with best management practices.
With a view to the implementation of this Forestry Policy Part 7.2 establishes that a National-level Committee will be established to oversee coordination of intra-governmental implementing aspects and resolve specific issues of overlapping mandates and interagency collaboration identified in this policy and arising through implementation. Coordination and collaboration at District and site level is also necessary, and will be mediated through local government meetings, traditional structures and committees overseeing forest management at the local level. The text consists of 7 Parts.