Forest Act 2009 (Act No. 6 of 2009)
This Act promotes the use of sustainable forestry, through participation with local communities. It also provides for the declaration of Protected Areas within the framework of the Environmental Protection Act and the establishment of a code of practice. The Act increases coordination with mining, introducing the requirement of a consultation before granting any license for mining or petroleum prospecting or production. The Minister may make an order declaring any area of public forested land to be a State forest. The Act provides for sustainable management of state forests. The Forestry Commission may enter into forest concession agreements, community forest management agreements or afforestation agreement and grant exploratory permits or use permits.
