National Forest Policy of 2018.

This National Forest Policy is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at an effective management and utilization of forest and tree resources for sustainable supply of products and services to meet local, national and global needs so that forest and tree resources significantly contribute to national livelihood and the global community. In reviewing the National Forest Policy of 1998 the document seeks to strike the balance between forest conservation and business. To achieve the goal, the Policy sets out the following strategic objectives for the sector (i) forest and tree resources effectively developed and sustainably managed; (ii) forest ecosystems effectively conserved; (iii) production of forest and tree products enhanced and sustained; (iv) investments in the development of forest and tree resources and industry enhanced; (v) sector capacity enhanced; (vi) regional and international cooperation enhanced; (vii) impacts of HIV and AIDS infections reduced; (viii) gender equity and equality enhanced; (ix) good governance principles enhanced; and (x) contribution to environmental conservation enhanced.
To help eliminate hunger and food insecurity, this new NFP primarily promotes adoption of agro-forestry systems to enhance access to tree products and services and contribute to food security and nutrition and reduce dependency on natural forests for many products.
In order to make forestry more productive and sustainable, the following actions need to be undertaken (i) ensure regular forest and tree resource assessment and monitoring; () ensure proper forestland surveys and establish tenure arrangements; (iii) ensure adequate supply of quality tree germplasm for both indigenous and exotic species; (iv) ensure forest landscape restoration through natural regeneration and use of fast growing species; (v) institute mechanisms to ensure that consumers of ecosystem products and services contribute to conservation and management; (vi) ensure management plans of all forests include biodiversity conservation, watershed management, wildlife and wetlands conservation and eco-tourism development; (vii) encourage establishment of new reserves and upgrade forest reserves into nature reserves; (viii) ensure protection of all forests from illegal activities, fires, invasive species, pests and diseases; (ix) strengthen mechanisms for forest financing; and (x) promote urban tree growing and urban forests.
More inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems can be enabled through (i) promotion of equitable participation of all stakeholders in forest management and conservation; (ii) promotion of the growth in domestic and international trade in forest and tree products; (iii) establishment of mechanisms to boost tree growers; (iv) ensuring gender mainstreaming in all aspects of forest management and development; and (v) ensuring equal opportunities to males, females and vulnerable groups in forest ownership and management.
To increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters, the Policy envisages mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change such as (i) promote establishment of wood fuel plantations and woodlots to meet energy demand; (ii) promote alternative sources of energy to wood fuel; (iii) ensure use of appropriate and efficient wood and non-wood product harvesting and processing technologies; and (iv) encourage the use of wood substitutes and adoption of efficient technologies in artisanal woodwork and crafts.
As for the Governance the document calls for ensuring adherence to good governance principles and practices in the forest sector, in particular (i) aim at stable property rights, rule of law, and corruption reduction; (ii) strengthen the capacity of the institutions involved in training, administration and management of forest resources; (iii) sectoral coordination in forest management; (iv) adequate and qualified personnel; (v) forestry education and training for skilled manpower; (vi) adequate extension services in the sector; and (vii) ensure the establishment of a formal body to oversee forest professional matters.