National Forestry Policy 2009.

The National Forest Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The goal of the Policy is to ensure protection of the environment, management and development of natural resources and their efficient use.
Sustainable forest resources and ecosystem management will be ensured through (i) integrity, productivity and the development potential of the forest resources, (ii) protection of forests, by empowering local communities and promoting the development and use of wood, non-wood forest products and services, (iii) investment in plantation forestry, (iv) application of both scientific and local knowledge on sustainable management of forest ecosystems and biodiversity, and (v) improvement of the role of forests for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Ecosystem restoration mechanism will be established for degraded and threatened ecosystems and forests. During the reforestation processes, sustainable production methods will be used in order to contribute to the long-term development of forest resources. Forest inventories and monitoring will be conducted to prescribe an allowable cut for different forest tree species. Land use systems will be developed for the protection of headwaters, river basins and terrestrial resources. Furthermore sustainable allocation of land will be facilitated in agriculture, energy and mining sectors.
The involvement of local communities in the management of forests, forest products and services will be encouraged, including decision-making processes. Community forest regeneration funds will be established to support community participation in indigenous forest management. Moreover joint forest management committees will be established in targeted forest areas for effective coordination, management and mobilisation of resources. Forestry extension services will be developed through training, provision of appropriate and adequate facilities and financial resources, to meet all stakeholders' needs, including women. The involvement of women will be encouraged in small scale enterprises dealing in non-wood forest products. Women, the youth and persons with special needs will receive equitable participation in and benefits from forest management and development programmes.
Forestry protection measures will be taken against fires, pest and disease outbreaks and against unsustainable harvesting practices, as well as for civil works and prohibition of encroachment of protected areas. Phytosanitary measures will be implemented to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plant species. Precautionary principle will be adopted for new silvicultural technologies or other forestry activities in line with existing national legislation on genetically modified organisms and/or biosafety. Licensing of forest activities will be strengthened to regulate the exploitation and ensure efficient use of forest resources and products. Forest areas will be demarcated for the conservation of ecological, cultural, archaeological, recreation areas and landscapes. Forest certification, product standardization, certification and labelling practices will be applied. Incentives and benefit sharing mechanisms will be established for stakeholders involved in indigenous forest management and plantation forestry development and management. Participatory system will be established to conduct environmental impact assessments, post-harvest evaluation and management of concessions in line with national EIA regulations. Accurate data will be made available on forest management and sustainable use of forest products and services. Traditional knowledge will be integrated into the management and use of forest resources. Public awareness will be raised on conservation of forest ecosystems and species at all levels. The productivity of forest reserves will be assessed according to the stakeholders' participation in management, utilisation and, cost and benefit sharing. An efficient and effective forest research and development service will be established to conduct research on all aspects of forestry and forestry industries in order to enhance forest productivity and efficient utilisation of wood, non-wood forest products and services. Community based forest management plans will be prepared and implemented. Private sector participation will be facilitated to expand forest plantations and public private partnerships will be supported in the establishment of forest industries. In order to ensure the contribution of the forestry sector to the national economy, export of forest products and carbon trading will be promoted. Local communities will be supported to participate in the global trade by ensuring access to aid for trade. A forest products export monitoring system will be established. Training will be provided for entrepreneurs engaged in non-wood forest production regarding certification, carbon trade, harvest and preservation skills. Industrial fuelwood users will be encouraged to invest in tree planting and woodland management by marketing and pricing reforms.
Public awareness-raising will be enhanced on the effects climate change arising from use and management of forest products. The resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change will be increased by reducing the reliance on fuel wood and charcoal, developing clean development mechanisms, reducing emissions from deforestation and by conducting forest degradation initiatives.
The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for forest resources development. The Forestry Department will be responsible for capacity development, co-ordination, implementation and enforcement of rules and regulations pertaining to forestry development at national, provincial, district and forest reserve levels within the ambit of this policy and related sector policies. The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources shall develop and implement a results-oriented monitoring and evaluation system in cooperation with the Forestry Department and stakeholders engaged in forestry.