Forest Act (CAP. 323).

The Act provides for the conservation and management of forest resources in Tanzania and regulates the trade of forest produce.
The Act consists of 109 sections divided into 12 Parts: Preliminary provisions (I); The Objective of this Act and its Administration (II); Management plans (III); Private forests (IV); Forest reserves (V); Permits and licences (VI); Trade in forest produce (VII); Conservation of trees, wild plants and wild animals (VIII); Fires (IX); Financial provisions and establishment of a Fund (X); Offences and penalties (XI); Miscellaneous provisions (XII).
Objectives of this Act are set out in section 3 and include the enhancement of conservation of natural resources and ensuring ecosystem stability through conservation of forest biodiversity, water catchments and soil fertility. Section 4 divides forests in 4 types: national forest reserves; local authority forest reserves; village forests; and private forests. A Director of Forestry shall be appointed by the President under section 5. The Director shall be the adviser on forest matters to the Government. A National Forestry Advisory Committee is established under section 10. The scope of forest management plans is defined in section 1. An outline forest management plan shall be prepared for areas declared by the Minister responsible for forestry to be a national or local forest reserve pursuant to section 22 (sect. 12). Section 13 provides for detailed forest management plans. Management plans shall also be adopted for village land and private forests. Section 16 provides for joint management agreements between private and public parties. Section 17 provides for forestry dedication covenants for private forests between the Director and the holder of a right of occupancy, whereas section 20 concerns forest concessions. Section 20 lists activities prohibited in forest reserves without permission. Forests reserves are established as national forest reserves, local authority reserves or a community forest reserve. A national reserve may consist of a production forest reserve, a protection forest reserve, and a nature forest reserve (sect. 22). Management responsibilities in respect of forest reserves are defined in section 27. Section 69 of Part VIII declares the sovereignty of Government of Tanzania over biological resources in forests including genetic resources. The Tanzania Forest Fund is established under section 79.