4. National Policies and Acts National Forest Policy, 1974 and National Forest Policy 2011 The essence of the National Forest Policy 1974 is primarily on conservation of forests and associated resources for ecological values and secondarily on their exploitation for economic benefits but within the limits of sustainability. It hinges on the following four guiding principles: Protection of the land, its forest, soil, water resources and biodiversity against degradation, such as loss of soil fertility, soil erosion, landslides, floods and other ecological devastation and the improvement of all degraded forest land areas, through proper management systems and practices; Contribution to the production of food, water, energy and other commodities by effectively coordinating the interaction between forestry and farming systems; Meeting the long-term needs of Bhutanese people for wood and other forest products by placing all production forest resources under sustainable management; Contribution to the growth of national and local economies, including exploitation of export opportunities, through fully developed forest based industries, and to contribute to balanced human resources development through training and creation of employment opportunities. National Forest Policy 2011. Consultation with communities is required. Construction of road through the established community forest may loose the naturally or artificially grown forest resources, which were managed by community forest management group. So, the loss of resources may have to be compensated as per the guidelines. Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995 The environmental legislation to be passed in Bhutan was the Bhutan Forest Act, 1969, which brought all forest resources under government custody with the intent to regulate forest and control excessive forest exploitation. This law was repealed in 1995 with the enactment of the Forest and Nature Conservation Act (FNCA), 1995, in keeping with evolving conservation needs and to allow for community stewardship of forests. The objective of the FNCA is to for the “provide protection and sustainable use of forests, wildlife and related natural resources of Bhutan for the benefit of present and future generations”. It covers forest management, prohibitions and concessions in government reserved forests, forestry leases, social and community forestry, transport and trade of forestry produce, protected areas, wildlife conservation, soil and water conservation, forest fire prevention, and enforcement and penalties. Forest and Nature Conservation 2000
4. National Policies and Acts National Forest Policy, 1974 and National Forest Policy 2011 The essence of the National Forest Policy 1974 is primarily on conservation of forests and associated resources for ecological values and secondarily on their exploitation for economic benefits but within the limits of sustainability. It hinges on the following four guiding principles: Protection of the land, its forest, soil, water resources and biodiversity against degradation, such as loss of soil fertility, soil erosion, landslides, floods and other ecological devastation and the improvement of all degraded forest land areas, through proper management systems and practices; Contribution to the production of food, water, energy and other commodities by effectively coordinating the interaction between forestry and farming systems; Meeting the long-term needs of Bhutanese people for wood and other forest products by placing all production forest resources under sustainable management; Contribution to the growth of national and local economies, including exploitation of export opportunities, through fully developed forest based industries, and to contribute to balanced human resources development through training and creation of employment opportunities. National Forest Policy 2011. Consultation with communities is required. Construction of road through the established community forest may loose the naturally or artificially grown forest resources, which were managed by community forest management group. So, the loss of resources may have to be compensated as per the guidelines. Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995 The environmental legislation to be passed in Bhutan was the Bhutan Forest Act, 1969, which brought all forest resources under government custody with the intent to regulate forest and control excessive forest exploitation. This law was repealed in 1995 with the enactment of the Forest and Nature Conservation Act (FNCA), 1995, in keeping with evolving conservation needs and to allow for community stewardship of forests. The objective of the FNCA is to “provide for the protection and sustainable use of forests, wildlife and related natural resources of Bhutan for the benefit of present and future generations”. It covers forest management, prohibitions and concessions in government reserved forests, forestry leases, social and community forestry, transport and trade of forestry produce, protected areas, wildlife conservation, soil and water conservation, forest fire prevention, and enforcement and penalties. Forest and Nature Conservation 2000
Bhutan-SFBCNRM-ESAMF-Final1.docx