This content is exclusively provided by FAO / FAOLEX

National Forests Act.

Country
South Africa
Type of law
Legislation
Date of original text
Date of latest amendment
Source
FAO , FAOLEX
Abstract
This Act makes provisions for the management and conservation of public forests. The purpose of Chapter I is to promote the sustainable management of forests. Section 3 contains principles to guide decisions affecting forests. Chapter 3 specifies special measures to protect forests and trees. Provisions concern natural forests, protected areas, protection of particular trees, and specific measures against deforestation. Use of forests is regulated in Chapter 4. It contains also provisions on the lease of state forests and servitude insisting on state forests. Part 3 concerns community forestry. Chapter 5 makes provision for institutions such as the National Forests Advisory Council and the National Forest Recreation and Access Trust. Also a Panel of facilitators, mediators and arbitrators is established. Other Chapters of this Act are: Administration of the Act (6); Offences and penalties (7); enforcement (8); general and transitional provisions (9).
Attached files
http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/saf123699.pdf
Web site
http://www.enviroleg.co.za
Long title of text
An Act to reform the law on forests; to repeal certain laws; and to provide for related matters.
Entry into force notes
For entry into force of specific provisions please see the Heading of the Act.
Notes
Consolidated version of Act No. 84 of 1998 as amended last by Act No. 35 of 2005.For legislation repealed by this Act, please see Schedule 1.
Repealed
No
Source language

English

Legislation Amendment
No
Amended by
The National Forests Amendment Act, no. 1 of 2022.
National Forest and Fire Laws Amendment Act, (No. 12 of 2001).
Implemented by
Government Notice no. 2984 of 2023. The Publication of the annual list of all tree species protected under Section 12 of the National Forests Act (Act no. 84 of 1998).
Notice no. 635 of 2019. A List of all protected tree species under Section 12 of the National Forests Act (Act no. 84 of 1998).
Notice of the list of protected tree species under the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. 536 of 2018).
Notice of the list of protected tree species under the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. 1161 of 2015).
National Forests Act: Declaration of particular trees and particular groups of trees as "champion trees" (No. 1056 of 2015).
Notice of the list of protected tree species under the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. 980 of 2014).
Notice of the list of protected tree species under the National Forests Act, 1998 (GN No. 650 of 2014).
Notice of the list of protected tree species under the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. 877 of 2013).
National Forests Act: Declaration of particular trees and particular groups of trees as "champion trees" (No. R. 677 of 2013).
National Forests Act: Declaration of state forests in Mpumalanga as forest nature reserves under section 8(1) of the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. R. 673 of 2013).
Notice of the list of protected tree species under the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. R. 716 of 2012).
National Forests Act: Declaration of particular trees and particular groups of trees as "champion trees" (No. R. 295 of 2012).
Notice of List of Protected Tree Species under the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. R. 734 of 2011).
Forest Act (122/1984): Prohibition on the making of fires in the open air, the destruction by burning of ground cover, including slash, the clearing or maintenance of fire belts by burning or the execution of blockburns: KwaZulu Natal (No. 391 of 2010).
Notice of List of Protected Tree Species Under the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. R. 1106 of 2009).
Declaration of Kathu Forest as a Protected Woodland under section 12(1)(C) of the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. 727 of 2009).
Regulations made under the National Forests Act (No. R. 466 of 2009).
Notice of List of Protected Tree Species Under the National Forests Act, 1998 (No. R. 1080 of 2008).
Exemption in terms of section 24(6) of the National Forests Act (Notice No. R. 399 of 2008).
Exemptions in Terms of Sections 7(1) and 15(1) of the National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998), as amended (No. 773 of 2007).
Delegation of powers and duties under the National Forests Act.
National Forest Act, 1998: Assignment of certain provisions of the National Forest Act, 1998 to South African National Parks (GN. 113 of 2005).
Forest Act: Prohibition on the making of fires in the open air: Prohibition on the making of fires in the open air: Kwazulu-Natal (GN. 468 of 2001).
Forest Act: Prohibition on the making of fires in the open air: Western Cape (GN. 1101 of 2000).