Forest (Concession Licence) Regulations, 2016 (S.I. No. 50 of 2016).

These Regulations, made by the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection under section 105 of the Forests Act, 2015, concerns the issue of a concession licence under section 52 of the Act. Subject to these Regulations, a licence may be issued in — (a) a National Forest; (b) a Local Forest; (c) an open area; (d) a community forest; (e) a private forest; and (f) a joint forest management area. The Director of Forestry shall not issue a licence in a forest area that is ecologically sensitive, i.e. having a fragile ecosystem such as a headwater, water catchment area or high and sloppy gradient. The Director shall identify and map potential concession areas, carry out a pre-harvesting inventory of the potential area and advertise the area. Citizens may apply for a licence by submitting an application to the Director, which shall be accompanied by— (a) letters signifying the consent of the chief and the local authority in the concession area, to the grant of the licence to the applicant; (b) decision letter issued to the applicant by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency regarding the environmental impact assessment undertaken by the applicant in respect of the proposed concession area applied for; and (c) a forest management and regeneration plan, The Regulations set out the criteria for determination of an application. Rights of licensees shall include, among other things, the right to sink boreholes, make dams, dig wells and install water supply reticulations. The Regulations also contain some rule regarding felling. The licensee shall submit annually a plan of operation.