The National Forestry Programme

This is the draft National Forestry Programme and as such is a working document and not a formal programme document. It should not be interpreted as an approved programme of the Government of Swaziland or the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives until it has been finally agreed and adopted.

2 NATURAL FORESTS AND WOODLANDS

The main concern with regard to the current status of natural forests and woodlands in Swaziland relates to lack of sustainable management and resulting degradation. The growing population is putting more pressure on the scarce indigenous forest resources and the use of forests by communities is no longer sustainable.

Plant resources are further diminished by uncontrolled commercial activities through sales and export. There is evidence that the forest resources of Swaziland are being depleted through export of specific forest products, notably medicinal plants. It is essential to address the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation and to formulate strategies to protect and conserve the forest resources.

Identification and study of the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation is a world-wide priority and its understanding forms an essential precondition for the introduction of sustainable forest management. Underlying causes include the following:

Rapid population growth and pressure on land;
Poverty and lack of alternative sources of livelihood;
Inequities in land tenure, access and user rights;
Lack of influence of stakeholders, in particular women;
Substitution of forest and woodland by other systems of production and land use;
Over-exploitation of communal forests and rangelands;
Inappropriate and uncontrolled burning of forests and rangelands;
Lack of value assigned to forests and forest products;
Lack of recognition and use of traditional knowledge;
Lack of capacity to manage forests;
Illegal trade in forest products;
Breakdown of traditional leadership and land disputes;
Inappropriate government policies;
Poor enforcement of laws and regulations.

There is no full understanding of the complex relationships between the underlying causes. Most of the causes refer to socio-economic conditions and attitudes, and they are related to one single major cause, namely the strong population growth, which takes place without corresponding increase of responsibility, adequate control, enforceable rules and regulations, and conservation of the forests and woodlands.

The Natural Forests and Woodlands Action Programme is split into five strategies, each of them representing a group of actions.

Conservation of the biodiversity of natural forest resources

Valuation and natural resource accounting of forests and forest products

Natural forests and the provision of energy

Sustainable commercial exploitation of natural forests and woodlands

Sustainable management of natural forests and woodlands

Conservation of biodiversity is considered the key factor in the sustainable management of the natural forests and woodlands. The majority of the issues and constraints as occurring in natural forest sub-sectors all relate to conservation of biodiversity, including forest resource accounting, valuation of non-timber forest products, commercial utilisation of forests, utilisation for cultural purposes, tourism development, and energy production. Introduction of sustainable management must incorporate community involvement and responsibility.

2.1 Conservation of the biodiversity of natural forest resources

A general principle of conservation is that the ecological structure, function and dynamics of forests, including water, soil, nutrient cycles, landforms, and micro-climate must be protected and maintained, or where degraded by past human activities, restored. The indigenous biological diversity of forests and woodlands must be protected and maintained at all spatial scales and through all time frames. Government has the overall responsibility for the conservation of the natural forest and woodlands, but adequate conservation and management can only be achieved with active participation of communities and other stakeholders.

2.1.1 Summary of key issues

Conservation of genetic plant resources in Swaziland is presently insufficient.
Indigenous ecological knowledge systems are not satisfactorily applied and protected.
Spiritual rights and needs of traditional medical practitioners and other local people are not satisfactorily recognised.
Public awareness and information of existing threats to biodiversity are insufficient.
Current programmes to address the threats to biodiversity are insufficient
The threat of invasive alien plant species in Swaziland is not adequately addressed.
The current conservation areas of Swaziland are too small to fully maintain biodiversity and adequately cover all of the important habitats.
The identification and selection process of protection-worthy areas (PWAs), including forest and flora reserves, is lacking standardised criteria and a comprehensive approach.
The wetland areas within the forests and woodlands of Swaziland are not adequately protected and conserved.
The hill and mountain forests and woodlands of Swaziland, including grasslands and unique riparian and riverine flora, are not adequately protected and conserved.

2.1.2 Strategy to establish conservation of the biodiversity of natural forest resources

To develop partnerships between all stakeholders for the conservation of plant genetic resources, the application of indigenous and other knowledge, the control of threats to biodiversity and the development of preservation areas representative of all habitats and ecologically important zones.

2.1.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 2.1.1 Pursue the conservation of genetic plant resources as integral part of development (Policy reference 2.4.7.1)	High	Medium-term		Government	x
Activities
- Increase the public awareness of the value of conservation of genetic plant resources		2003	2y	NPGRC/DoF	Expertise Human resources
- Improve the conservation of the gene pool		2003	3y	NPGRC/SNTC DoF	Human resources
- Improve the documentation of genetic plant resources through appropriate storage systems and indigenous flora inventory		2004	4y	DoF	Human resources
- Improve the conservation of genetic plant resources in protected areas and in botanical gardens		2004	4y	DoF
Action 2.1.2 Protect and document indigenous ecological knowledge of people and respect spiritual rights and needs as part of the natural heritage (Policy references 2.4.7.2 & 2.4.5.2)	High	Short-term		Government University Communities Individuals
Activities
- Increase the public awareness of the value of indigenous ecological knowledge of people and promote documentation and transfer of information		2003	2y	DoF/UNISWA Communities
- Enhance the application of indigenous ecological knowledge in educational conservation programmes and ecological development programmes		2003	2y	MoE/DoF UNISWA/SNTC
- Recognise intellectual property rights and protect the copyright of published traditional knowledge systems		2003	2y	MoJCA/SEA/DoF
- Ensure the recognition of the spiritual rights and needs of traditional medical practitioners and other relevant people in the management practises of forests and woodlands		2003	2y	MoH/MoJCA DoF/Comm
Action 2.1.3 Raise understanding and public awareness of threats to biodiversity by expanding the knowledge base (Policy reference 2.4.7.3.1)	High	Short-term		Government General public NGOs
Activities
- Increase the public awareness of threats to biodiversity through implementation of awareness programmes		2003	2y	SEA/DoF/SNTC
- Improve the knowledge of threats to biodiversity through rapid and detailed assessments as part of the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan		2003	3y	SEA
Action 2.1.4 Prioritise, design and implement programmes to control and reduce threats to biodiversity (Policy reference 2.4.7.3.2)	Very High	Short-term		Government
Activities
- Prioritise and design programmes in line with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, notably alien invaders, indigenous resource harvesting (legal and illegal), land degradation, settlement, veld fires and endangered species (see also Actions 2.1.5, 2.5.2 & 2.5.3)		2003	1y	SEA/DoF SNTC/MoAC
- Reduce threats to biodiversity through implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan		2003	3y	SEA/DoF/SNTC
- Ensure full application of Environmental Impact Assessments and other relevant regulations		2003	2y	SEA/DoF
Action 2.1.5 Develop and implement integrated programmes to control invasive alien plant species (Policy reference 2.4.7.3.3)	Very High	Medium-term		Government Communities NGOs	xx
Activities
- Conduct surveys and make inventories of the occurrence and distribution of invasive alien plant species		2003	2y	SEA/DoF/MoACSNTC	Funding Expertise Human Resources
- Develop priority programmes for the control and eradication of invasive alien plant species		2005	2y	SEA/DoF	same
- Implement priority programmes to control invasive alien plant species		2007	6y	SEA/DoF/NGOsCommunities	same
Action 2.1.6 Make provisions to increase the size and coverage of protected areas in Swaziland for satisfactory conservation and maintenance of biodiversity (Policy reference 2.4.7.4)	High	Short-term		Government Communities	X
Activities
- Define a suitable and scientifically founded methodology to identify protection-worthy areas (PWAs)		2003	1y	SNTC/DoF/SEA	Expertise
- Review previous vegetation classification systems and the Agro-ecological Zoning (AEZ) of Swaziland and produce a vegetation map for biodiversity conservation planning		2003	1y	DoF/SNTC/LUPS	Expertise
- Appraise the situation and status of current protected areas		2003	1y	SNTC/SEA/DoF
- Identify, evaluate and categorise new protection-worthy areas (PWAs) through rapid field assessment		2003	1y	SNTC/DoF/SEAComm
- Appraise and amend the main categories of management and legal status of conservation areas, including national parks, community management, private management, national forest and flora reserves		2003	1y	SNTC/DoF/Sea Communities
- Evaluate priority biodiversity conservation areas through detailed field assessments		2004	2y	SNTC/DoF	Funding Expertise
- Develop an action plan for proclamation of additional areas for biodiversity conservation		2006	1y	SNTC/DoF/SEA
Action 2.1.7 Define, proclaim and manage forest and flora protection areas with special habitats as part of overall protection-worthy areas (PWAs) (Policy references 2.4.7.5, 2.4.7.6 & 2.4.7.7)	High	Medium-term		Government	x
Activities
Define objectives of forest and flora reserves as part of overall protected areas, taking into account the agreed methodology of identification and classification (see Action 2.1.6)		2003	1y	DoF/SNTC/SEA	Funding Expertise
Identify and evaluate forest and woodland protection-worthy areas, in particular wetlands within forests and mountain and hill forests and woodlands, through rapid field assessment		2003	1y	DoF/SNTC	Funding Expertise
Liaise with the national evaluation of PWAs (see Action 2.1.6) and amendment of conservation categories, and select priority forest and flora protection areas for detailed surveys		2003	1y	DoF/SNTC/SEA
Conduct detailed socio-economic and biodiversity surveys of special forest and flora habitats, notably wetlands within forests and hill and mountain forests and woodlands and make inventories of their occurrence and distribution		2004	2y	DoF/SNTC	Human resources Funding
Make final selection and develop action plan for proclamation of forest and flora protection areas (see also Action 2.5.4)		2006	1y	DoF/SNTC/SEA
Proclaim forest and flora protection areas		2006	1y	DoF/SEA/SNTC
Develop management plans for the proclaimed reserves		2006	1y	DoF/SNTC	Expertise
Implement management plans for the proclaimed reserves		2007	2y	DoF/SNTC	Human resources

2.2 Valuation and natural resource accounting of forests and forest products

Natural resources are by most people considered to be of limited value. The recently introduced natural resource accounting (NRA) in Swaziland is an important tool for determining the true value of the forest resource and improving its competitive position with respect to other land uses. Together with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and resource rent introduction, NRA should be part of the routine planning exercise to protect forests from unwanted land conversion. Multiple use of forests and woodlands such as for conservation and tourism will add value and sustain management.

2.2.1 Summary of key issues

The general lack of awareness of the actual value of natural resources is one of the major causes of inadequate management and degradation of forest and woodland resources.
The value of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is not fully recognised and established in the national accounts of Swaziland.
The present species utilisation database of non-timber forest products is not available.

2.2.2 Strategy to establish natural resource accounting and valuation of forest resources

To develop improved understanding and awareness of the true value of the natural forests and woodlands through a full accounting of the forest resources and assessment of the overall value of timber and non-timber forest products based on comprehensive knowledge of the utilisation patterns and user categories.

2.2.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 2.2.1 Apply Natural Resource Accounting (NRA) in forestry and promote proper valuation of forest resources (Policy reference 2.4.1.4)	High	Medium-term		Government	xx
Activities
- Adopt suitable Natural Resource Accounting (NRA) systems for forestry and adapt to Swaziland conditions		2003	2y	DoF/SEA/CSO	Expertise
- Increase the public awareness of the true value of natural resources, in particular forests and woodlands		2004	4y	DoF/SEA	Expertise
- Apply appropriate Natural Resource Accounting (NRA) systems in forestry		2005	3y	DoF/SEA/CSO	Expertise Human resources
- Promote proper valuation of forest resources and forest products to reduce degradation and increase sustainable production		2005	4y	DoF	Human resources
Action 2.2.2 Establish the combined value and importance of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to the national economy (Policy reference 2.4.3.1)	High	Medium-term		Government	x
Activities
- Continue research on valuation of NTFPs and establish realistic values and accounts		2003	2y	DoF/SEA	Expertise Funding
- Inform communities and the general public about the true value of NTFPs		2004	2y	DoF/SEA
- Recognise the importance of NTFPs in national accounting and incorporate results in national planning		2004	2y	MEPD/CSO/DoF
Action 2.2.3 Create a comprehensive species utilisation database of non-timber forest products (Policy reference 2.4.3.2)	High	Short-term		Government	x
Activities
Initiate and conduct research into the comprehensive utilisation patterns of NTFPs in conjunction with research into the wider occurrence and potential		2003	2y	DoF	Expertise Funding
Make the NTFP utilisation pattern database available for multiple use application		2005	1y	DoF

2.3 Natural forests and the provision of energy

Forests and woodlands play an essential role as a source of energy. About 70 percent of rural households in Swaziland rely on fuelwood, and it is expected that this percentage will remain high for some time. Although estimates of fuelwood consumption are not consistent, there are indications that local shortages exist, notably in the Upper Middleveld and parts of the Lower Middleveld and Lowveld, in particular around dense settlements and arable areas. Also in urban areas fuelwood is still an important source of energy, mainly derived from rural areas. In general, the situation warrants a better control and management of the fuelwood resources.

Natural forests and woodlands are not the only sources of fuelwood. An important part of the current fuelwood supply is harvested from private and communal wattle forests. Fuelwood from plantation forests and from urban and peri-urban forests form increasingly important sources of energy. Communal woodlots, which mainly consist of Eucalyptus species, currently contribute only minor amounts of fuelwood. To reduce the need for fuelwood, the draft National Energy Policy addresses issues of fuel efficiency and the promotion of other sources of affordable energy.

2.3.1 Summary of key issues

There is general shortage of fuelwood, although estimates of fuelwood consumption are not consistent and vary widely.
Differences in the rate of wood extraction between different regions and locations in Swaziland complicate introduction of a sustainable national fuelwood production.
The imbalance between sources of fuelwood in Swaziland is enhancing local shortage and surplus.

2.3.2 Strategy to establish sustainable fuelwood and energy production from natural forests

To develop sustainable management strategies for fuelwood extraction from natural forests and woodlands based on assessment of extraction and regeneration in specific regional and local situations and to implement the strategy through partnerships with communities and other stakeholders in energy provision.

2.3.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 2.3.1 Take measures to ensure sustainable supply of fuelwood to meet needs of communities (Policy reference 2.4.4.1)	Very high	Short-term		Government Communities	xx
Activities
- Conduct further research towards fuelwood consumption and adopt a standard method to provide reliable and quantified estimates and calculations of fuelwood consumption and annual wood volume increments		2003	1y	DoF/DoE	Expertise Funding
- Identify areas with a fuelwood deficit and assess the spatial distribution of deficit areas		2004	2y	DoF	Expertise
- Develop plans to ameliorate the fuelwood situation through enrichment planting, priority planning of afforestation, selection of suitable species and other suitable measures (see also Actions 2.3.3, 3.3.2, 3.3.4 & 5.2.5)		2005	2y	DoF/Comm	Human resources
Action 2.3.2 Determine sustainable fuelwood extraction from natural forests and woodlands (Policy reference 2.4.4.2)	High	Short-term		Government	xx
Activities
- Assess fuelwood extraction and regeneration for specific regional and local situations		2004	1y	DoF/DoE	Expertise Funding
- Link the location specific wood extraction and regeneration information with the analysis of surplus and deficit areas		2005	1y	DoF	Expertise
Action 2.3.3 Regulate trade in fuelwood and charcoal from indigenous species and stimulate production of fuelwood from other sources (Policy reference 2.4.4.3)	High	Short- to medium-term		Government	xx
Activities
- Define rules and regulation for the trade in fuelwood and charcoal, with reference to specific local situations		2003	1y	DoF/DoE	Expertise Funding
- Identify other sources of fuelwood and increase supply from non-natural and industrial sources		2004	2y	DoF/DoE	Expertise
- Stimulate the introduction of measures and tools to enhance energy efficiency		2004	4y	DoE/Home Economics	Expertise

2.4 Sustainable commercial exploitation of natural forests and woodlands

Commercial exploitation of the natural forests and woodland relates to extraction of forest products and commercial use for tourism, eco-tourism and conservation. Extraction of forest products is currently taking place in an unsustainable way, and without value adding processing of products. Commercial management for tourism, conservation and other purposes has traditionally been left to the private organisations and parastatals, such as the Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC) and the Big Game Parks. However, in some parts of the country there is scope for further tourism exploitation of forests and the natural beauty of the landscape.

Options for sustainable commercial exploitation need to be investigated with respect to markets and viability, notably in the fields of trade in timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and in the development of small processing industries on the basis of forest products. Communities need to be advised on small industries and the possibilities of financial and technical assistance. The main advantages of creating such industries, e.g. bee keeping, food collection and woodcarving are increased employment through additional labour inputs and raised revenue through added value.

2.4.1 Summary of key issues

Opportunities to improve rural community livelihoods by commercial and sustainable exploitation of forest resources are not sufficiently explored.
Current trade in natural forest products is uncontrolled and not providing satisfactory benefits to communities.
Communities are not making efficient and economic use of forest products by setting up small processing industries.
The uncontrolled and unsustainable extraction of medicinal plants currently taking place in forests and woodlands has resulted in depletion or critical levels of certain species.
The uncontrolled commercialisation of indigenous plant and tree species for the woodcraft market has led to over-exploitation and depletion of desirable plant species.
There is an increasing depletion of certain tree and plant species that are indispensable in the Swazi culture and tradition.

2.4.2 Strategy to develop commercial exploitation of natural forests and woodlands

To develop sustainable commercial utilisation mechanisms in partnerships with all stakeholders for the benefit of the population and in particular the rural communities

2.4.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 2.4.1 Explore the options for sustainable commercial exploitation of communal forest and woodland resources to improve livelihoods (Policy reference 2.4.2.1)	Very High	Short-term		Government Communities Traditional Leaders	x
Activities
- Investigate the major options for commercial exploitation, notably extraction and trade in forest products, processing of forest products and tourism (see also Actions 2.4.3 & 2.5.4)		2003	1y	DoF/MEE	Expertise
- Define a strategy for sustainable commercial management of communal natural forests, with regulations pertaining to extraction of forest products		2004	2y	DoF Communities Trad.leaders	Expertise
Action 2.4.2 Empower communities to retain control over the trade in forest products from their communal resources (Policy reference 2.4.2.2)	Very High	Short-term		Government Communities Traditional Leaders	x
Activities
- Investigate which parties are benefiting from exploitation of the communal forests and woodlands		2003	1y	DoF	Expertise Funding
- Introduce permit systems through the community Natural Resources Management Committees to ensure that communities remain the principal recipients of revenue		2004	3y	DoF Communities Trad.Leaders	Human resources
- Advise communities with regard to proper valuation, trade, marketing and management of their forest products		2004	3y	DoF	Human resources
Action 2.4.3 Promote and support the development of small sustainable industries specialising in the processing of natural forest and woodland products (Policy reference 2.4.2.3)	Very High	Short-term		Government NGOs	x
Activities
- Advise communities with regard to options in the processing of forest products and the development of small industries		2003	3y	DoF/MEE/NGOs	Expertise Funding
- Support communities with setting-up of small industries of forest products by providing commercial and financial assistance and guidance		2003	4y	MEE/DoF/ NGOs Tinkhundla	Funding
Action 2.4.4 Control the trade and export of medicinal plants (Policy reference 2.4.3.3)	Very High	Short-term		Government Communities Trad.Healers	x
Activities
- Advise communities with regard to restrictions in the extraction and trade in medicinal plants needed for protection		2003	2y	DoF/Tinkhundla	Human resources
- Introduce a license system through the Natural Resources Management Committees to ensure extraction and use by authorised persons only, aimed at local needs		2004	3y	DoF Communities Trad.Leaders	Human resources
- Promote growing of medicinal plants in nurseries and gardens		2004	3y	DoF/UNISWA T.Healers/Comm	Human resources
Action 2.4.5 Develop a re-planting programme of identified plant and tree species for woodcraft and ceremonial and domestic use (Policy references 2.4.3.4 & 2.4.5.1)	Very High	Short- to medium-term		Government Communities	x
Activities
- Compile an inventory of indigenous species used for woodcraft and species for ceremonial and domestic purposes		2003	1y	DoF
- Encourage enrichment planting and replanting of selected species to alleviate pressure on natural forests and woodlands		2004	3y	DoF/Comm	Human resources
- Promote the use of alternative exotic plant and tree species for woodcraft		2004	3y	DoF
- Establish an identification, propagation and distribution programme of alternative woodcraft species		2005	3y	DoF/Comm	Funding Human resources
- Enhance the conservation of culturally important species in forest and flora reserves, gardens and other protected habitats		2005	3y	DoF/Comm

2.5 Sustainable management of natural forests and woodlands

Management of natural forests and woodlands remains the most important forestry issue in Swaziland that needs to be addressed. There is general agreement that the increasing degradation of the forest resources is caused by unsustainable exploitation of forest and woodlands, in particular the communal resources. The main causes are the lack of clear and comprehensive understanding of sustainable forest management, and the lack of the means to implement sustainable management.

The national criteria and indicators that have been defined and adopted by the Ministry responsible for forestry must be introduced to all stakeholders. Specific criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of the natural forests and woodland need to be completed and implemented. Introducing community-based management is a key element in the process, whereby communities have to be made aware of alternative uses of forest resources. Communities have to organise themselves in Natural Resources Management Committees, but need technical and financial support. Hence there is a need for collaborative or joint management, in which the roles of Government and NGOs have to be defined.

2.5.1 Summary of key issues

The natural forests and woodlands of Swaziland are not managed in a sustainable way.
There is lack of application of suitable measures to address the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation.
There is an overall lack of control of fire in natural forests, woodlands and rangelands.
Potentially attractive forest sites do not appeal to tourists as a result of forest degradation and lack of management.
Many of the farms and ranches controlled by Government are presently under-utilised, in particular with respect to the value of their forest resources.
Communities are not sufficiently involved in the management of conserved land.
The present conservation management capacity in Swaziland is not considered sufficient to manage additional protected forest and flora reserves in the near future.

2.5.2 Strategy to establish sustainable management of natural forest

To establish sustainable natural forest management based on enforced national criteria and indicators and implemented through partnerships with all stakeholders, in particular communities organised in Natural Resources Management Committees.

2.5.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 2.5.1 Develop sustainable forest management systems based on agreed national criteria and indicators (Policy reference 2.4.1.1)	Very High	Short-term		Government	x
Activities
- Complete criteria and indicators for sustainable management of natural forests and woodlands		2003	1y	DoF	Expertise
- Define a strategy for sustainable management of natural forests and woodland based on the criteria and indicators		2004	1y	DoF	Expertise
- Introduce sustainable forest management to communities and all other stakeholders (see Action 3.1.1)		2005	2y	DoF	Human Resources
Action 2.5.2 Mitigate the underlying causes of forest degradation as part of sustainable forest management (Policy reference 2.4.1.2)	High	Medium-term		Government NGOs	xx
Activities
- Conduct further research into the identification and understanding of the causes of forest degradation		2003	2y	DoF	Expertise Funding
- Assess the impact of the degradation processes on the status of the forest reserves		2004	1y	DoF/LUPS	Expertise
- Develop remedial measures and define a strategy to address the causes of forest degradation		2005	2y	DoF/LUPS	Expertise Human resources
- Promote and incorporate remedial measures in communal and other sustainable forest management		2006	4y	DoF/NGOs	Human resources
Action 2.5.3 Develop sustainable fire management practices and mitigate the effects of forest fires (Policy reference 2.4.1.3)	High	Medium-term		Government Companies NGOs	xx
Activities
- Conduct further data collection and research into the causes of forest fires and assess the impact on the status of forests		2003	2y	DoF	Expertise Funding
- Establish a National Fire Prevention Body and develop a national fire statistics database, using the existing expertise from the Fire Emergency Services (FES), Forest Companies, Range Management, etc.		2003	1y	DoF/MoAC/FES Forest Companies
- Develop a collective fire management strategy for different land uses in Swaziland, including prevention and fighting, under the umbrella of the National Fire Prevention Body		2004	1y	DoF/MoAC/FES Forest Companies	Expertise
- Promote the implementation of sustainable fire management practices to all stakeholders		2005	2y	DoF/NEEP	Human resources
- Establish local Fire Prevention Units as part of the Natural Resources Management Committees and promote close co-operation with neighbouring land users		2006	4y	DoF/NGOs	Human resources
Action 2.5.4 Promote and co-ordinate sustainable management of natural forests and woodlands for enhanced tourism and eco-tourism development (Policy references 2.4.6.1 & 2.4.6.2)	Very High	Medium-term		Government Communities Private sector Tourism Auth.	xx
Activities
- Involve all stakeholders in co-ordinated planning for tourism development, including the public and private sector, communities and traditional authorities		2003	1y	MTEC/STA/DoFCommunities Private sector	Funding
- Promote the identification of protection-worthy areas and flora reserves for the dual purpose of tourism and conservation (see also Action 2.1.7)		2004	3y	MTEC/STA/DoF
- Evaluate farms controlled by Government for forestry, tourism, and conservation potential and promote further development		2005	3y	MoAC/DoF MTEC	Funding Expertise
Action 2.5.5 Promote community involvement in the establishment and management of protected areas for eco-tourism (Policy reference 2.4.2.4)	Very High	Short-term		Government NGOs	x
Activities
- Define a strategy for community involvement in sustainable management of conserved and protected land		2003	1y	SNTC/DoF/SEA	Expertise
- Investigate options for income generation in community-managed conservation areas		2004	2y	DoF/SNTC/MEENGOs	Expertise
Action 2.5.6 Investigate alternative management and operation options to enlarge the future scope of conservation (Policy reference 2.4.7.8)	Very High	Short- to medium-term		Government	x
Activities
- Assess the current conservation management capacity and capability for future planned forest and flora reserves		2004	1y	DoF/SNTC/SEA	Expertise
- Develop alternative management options, in particular with community involvement in the operation of conserved land		2005	2y	DoF/SNTC/SEA	Expertise

This page was last updated on 27 October 2004