# National Forest Amendment Bill

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/national-forest-amendment-bill/
- Published: 2019-02-13T11:20:21+02:00
- Author: dearSA

# The Select Committee on Land and Mineral Resources invites you to submit written comments on the National Forest Amendment Bill.

The Bill seeks to amend the National Forests Act, 1998, so as to:
 • provide for
clear definitions of natural forests and woodlands; • provide for public trusteeship
of the nation’s forestry resources; • increase the promotion and enforcement of 
sustainable forest management; • increase the measures provided for in the Act to
control and remedy deforestation; • provide for appeals against decisions taken 
under delegated powers and duties; • reinforce offenses and penalties;

You are invited to provide suggestions or comments in support or objection via the
form below. Should you be unsure, please read the live comments, media, summary 
or documents below.   _Closing date is Thursday, 28 February 2019._

## **10 **active citizens had a say

## Add your comment now.

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#### 󠀁[SUMMARY - CLICK TO VIEW](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/national-forest-amendment-bill/#1539776900854-6d9102cc-94b2)󠁿

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (‘‘the Department’’) is responsible
for the administration of the National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998) (‘‘
the Act’’).

The Act promotes sustainable management and development of forests and provides 
for the protection of certain forests and trees. The National Forests Amendment 
Bill, 2016 (‘‘the Bill’’), seeks to amend this Act. The Department is the custodian
of the Act and should facilitate the amendment of this legislation in order to ensure
that it remains responsive and relevant in the field of sustainable forest management.
This legislation was promulgated in 1998 and since then, several national legislation
such as the National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No.
57 of 2003) and the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act
No. 10 of 2004) were also promulgated, as well as the advance in science, technology
and research in the field of sustainable forest management to ensure the co-operative
governance and management of natural resources. The Department is responsible for
the creation of a comprehensive regulatory framework through policies and legislation
to improve sustainable forest management in the country.

It is therefore of critical importance to ensure that, where necessary, amendments
should be effected to ensure that there are no legislative or policy vacuums that
hinder effective sustainable forest management. Most poor people and vulnerable 
groups located mainly in rural areas of the country rely on forestry for their livelihoods.
The proposed amendments will assist in encouraging the participation of vulnerable
groups at the same time ensuring sustainable forest management.

[click to view the National Forest Amendment Bill Breakdown ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/national-forest-amendment-bill/breakdown/)

## LIVE COMMENT FEED

Displaying newest 5 comments sent.

[click to see more comments ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/basic-fuel-price-review/comments/)

## DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS

 * [National Forest Amendment Bill.](http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/180501b11B-2016.pdf)

## MEDIA LINKS

 * Forestry South Africa – [Public Hearings on National Forests Amendment Act](http://www.forestry.co.za/public-hearings-on-national-forests-amendment-act/)

![](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/20191345/Dear-South-
Africa-National-Forrest-Amendment-bill.png "Dear South Africa National Forrest Amendment
bill")

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