Decree-Law No. 08/2023 creating Special Reserves on the Island of São Tomé.

This Decree-Law classifies as special reserves the areas of high conservation value on the island of São Tomé, as indicated in Annex I. It also defines the objectives and geographical limits of the special reserves now created, all the authorized or prohibited activities to be performed in these reserves, as well as the respective management structure and strategic instruments. It applies to the special reserves listed in Annex I and only within the geographical limits of each of these.
Classified special reserves have the general objective of ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and biological diversity, to manage the conservation status of existing species. The specific objectives of special reserves are: a) Protect the covered areas; b) Protect the species of flora and fauna that exist there, particularly the endemic ones; c) Promote the sustainable economic exploitation of forestry resources and other natural resources in these areas; d) Ensure integration between the management of forestry and/or coastal areas and the exploitation of other natural resources in these areas; e) Promote the involvement of communities in the management of reserves; f) Contribute to the safeguarding of fauna and flora species in the covered forestry and coastal areas.