Forests Act 1999 (Act No. 7 of 1999).

The Act consists of 89 sections divided into 15 Parts: Preliminary (I); The Zambia Forestry Commission (II); National Forests (III); Local Forests (IV); Joint Forest Management (V); Management Plans and Conservation Orders (VI); Protected Flora (VII); Major Forest Produce in State lands and Customary Area (VIII); Licences (IX); Import and Export of Forest Produce (XI); Marking of Timber (XII); Forest Offences, Penalties and Forfeitures (XIV); General (XV).
Section 3 vests all trees standing on, and all forest produce derived from customary areas, National Forests, Local Forests, State Lands, and open areas, in the President if not lawfully transferred or assigned under the present Act or any other written law. The Zambia Forestry Commission, established as a body corporate under section 4, shall "do all such things as necessary for the rationalisation of the exploitation of forest resources and the maintenance of sustainable forest management" and carry out other tasks as specified in section 5. National forests may be established by the President under section 9. The purpose of such forests is to secure forest resources of national importance, to protect ecosystems and biodiversity and to improve management of forest resources, water catchment and headwaters, etc. Local forests may be established under section 17. Restrictions on use listed in section 24 shall apply to such forest areas. The Minister may declare Joint Forest Management Areas under section 25 and the Commission may appoint a Forest Management Committee for such areas. A management plan shall be prepared for each National Forest, Local Forest or Joint Forest Management Area in accordance with section 29. Such plans shall be registered pursuant to section 33. The Minister may declare protected flora under section 36 and the Commission shall develop and implement "recovery plans" for such flora (sect. 37). Part IX provides with respect to cutting or taking of forest produce. The Minister may make Regulations on a variety of matters covered by this Act including the implementation of obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992. The First Schedule concerns the administration of the Commission; the Second Schedule lists matters for which a Management Plan may make provision.