National Forest Policy for Tonga.

The National Forest Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The objective of this policy is to support the sustainable management of the Tonga’s forests and tree resources to provide benefits for current and future generations.
A wide range of selected tree species will be raised for food security. Community groups will be encouraged and supported at planting of tree crops to promote food security.
Forestry conservation measures will be taken to halt all deforestation and further degradation of indigenous forests. The area and stocking of indigenous forest will be increased by promoting regeneration of secondary forest on degraded areas, by enrichment planting and by combining existing forest fragments. Ecosystem preservation will be ensured to protect terrestrial biodiversity through the conservation of forests in national parks and reserves, and forest reserves. Erosion-prone slopes will be identified and the vegetation on these slopes will be cleared. Eroded areas will be rehabilitated with indigenous trees and plants. Forestry management will be strengthened in coastal areas with a special emphasis on the protection of wetlands and mangroves. Suitable agroforestry models and tree species will be promoted to ensure productive land use. Tree species will be diversified for rehabilitation of degraded sites, enrichment planting within indigenous forests, stabilisation of coastal strips, and other purposes. Forest and tree health will be protected through effective management of invasive weeds, insects and diseases and prevention of the spread of invasive alien species.
Education and extension will be provided to raise awareness of the communities on the value of forests and tree resources and their management, as well as on the conservation of biodiversity, soil and water resources, and the role they play in combating climate change. The active participation of communities in the decision-making processes about the management of their forests and trees will be promoted.
Measures will be taken for strengthening the ecological, economic, and social role of trees and forests in Tonga, including indigenous forests, planted exotic forests, agro-forests, and trees on farms and in urban communities. A comprehensive National Forest Inventory will be established. The collaboration between the Forestry Division and relevant ministries will be strengthened to expand and complete the existing database on forest areas, types and distribution. Forest reserves will be managed for a sustainable supply of forest products. Sustainable fuelwood production will be encouraged to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. Moreover, the removal of non-wood forest products, such as medicinal plants, handicraft plants and other cultural plants, will be permitted under controls from designated areas. The planting of trees will be encouraged through tax allotments and planting of high-value species with export potential will be promoted.
Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be integrated into forest management and conservation. The resilience of forests to climate change will be increased by promoting reforestation and rehabilitation of cleared and degraded forests. The impacts of climate change and the role of forests in reducing these impacts and mitigating greenhouse gas emission rates will be emphasised in education initiatives and other awareness raising programmes. Critical watershed areas will be protected to improve water security by mitigating the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the use of fire in agricultural and other land-use applications will be regulated to prevent forest fires. The existing carbon stocks will be assessed within forest and tree resources. The participation of Tonga in developing international carbon trading markets and other mitigation programmes will be facilitated. Institutional capacity will be enhanced on climate change and its impacts to carry out activities effectively, including risk and vulnerability assessment, monitoring, planning, and reporting.
An inter-institutional advisory committee shall be responsible for the coordination of activities arising from the forest policy. A Forestry Strategic Plan and new Forestry Act will be developed to support and help implement this policy.