The National Forest Policy, 2002
This is the draft Forest Policy and as such is a working document and not a formal policy document. It should not be interpreted as the policy of the Government of Swaziland or the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives until it has been finally agreed and adopted.
APPENDIX 3 DRAFT NATIONAL LEVEL CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN SWAZILAND
The draft national level criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management in Swaziland are based on the set of indicators from the SADC Initiative on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in the Framework of the Dry-Zone Africa Process.
Criterion 1: Development, maintenance and improvement of forest resources including their contribution to global carbon cycles
Indicators, Criterion 1:
1.1 Total areas of natural forests, plantations and other wooded lands (and their change over time).
1.2 Bio-mass (and its change over time).
Criterion 2: Conservation and enhancement of biological diversity in forest ecosystems
Indicators, Criterion 2:
a) Ecosystem Indicators:
2.1 Areas by types of vegetation.
2.2 Extent of protected areas.
2.3 Conservation areas outside protected areas.
2.4 Area lost annually of forest ecosystems containing endemic species.
2.5 Re-introduction of locally extinct forest species.
b) Species Indicators:
2.6 Number of forest-dependent species (and its change over time).
2.7 Number of forest dependent species at risk.
2.8 Resources exploitation systems used.
c) Genetic Indicators (fauna, flora):
2.9 Average number of provenance (and its change over time).
2.10 Number of forest dependent species with reduced range.
2.11 Population levels of key species across their range.
2.12 Number of genetically modified organisms in the forests.
2.13 Degree of management of genetic resources.
Criterion 3: Maintenance and enhancement of forest ecosystem health, vitality and integrity
Indicators, Criterion 3:
3.1 Areas and percentages of forest (natural and man-made) modified, with the indication of severity of damage by such agents as:
Fires (including frequency);
Storms (including wind-throw & flooded areas);
Insects and diseases;
Damage by wild and domesticated animals;
Competition from introduced plants;
Drought;
Damage by wind erosion;
Earthquakes and landslides.
3.2 Percentages of forest ecosystems with or without regeneration.
3.3 Changes in soil fertility.
3.4 Encroachment by invasive plants.
3.5 Trends in yields of forest and agricultural produce.
3.6 Percentage of forest area encroached by human activities.
Criterion 4: Maintenance and enhancement of productive functions of forests and other wooded lands
Indicators, Criterion 4:
4.1 Percentage of forests and other wooded lands managed according to a management plan.
4.2 Growing stock.
4.3 Periodical balance between growth and removal of wood products.
4.4 Average annual consumption of wood for energy per capita.
4.5 Managed and sustainable extraction of non-wood forest products of:
- Fodder (grass layer and fodder from trees/shrubs);
- Consumptive wildlife utilisation;
- Honey, gum;
- Miscellaneous fruits, roots, edible leaves and mushrooms etc.;
- Medicinal substances;
- Fibres for handicrafts and other uses.
4.6 Area under agro-forestry practices.
Criterion 5: Maintenance and improvement of environmental and conservation functions of forests and other wooded lands and combating land degradation/desertification
Indicators, Criterion 5:
5.1 Areas and percentages of forests and other wooded lands managed mainly for the protection and/or rehabilitation of agricultural or range lands, and/or rehabilitation of degraded lands and/or areas prone to desertification and relevant important infrastructure works.
5.2 Areas and percentages of forests and other wooded areas managed mainly for the production of water, protection of watersheds, riverine zones and flood control.
5.3 Change in water yield and quality.
5.4 Areas of forests and other wooded lands managed for scenic and amenity purposes.
5.5 Areas, which have obtained an environmental compliance certificate.
5.6 Change in soil quality.
Criterion 6: Maintenance and enhancement of socio-economic benefits of forests and other wooded lands
Indicators, Criterion 6:
6.1 Value of wood products.
6.2 Value of non-wood forest products.
6.3 Value of eco-tourism.
6.4 Value from primary and secondary industries.
6.5 Share of forest sector in GNP.
6.6 Value from biomass energy in rural, peri-urban and urban areas.
6.7 Wood and non-wood forest product trade balance.
6.8 Investment in forests and forest industries including informal sector.
6.9 Number of people employed in forest sector.
6.10 Degree to which social, cultural, aesthetic, historical and spiritual needs are met.
6.11 Benefits accruing to local communities with particular emphasis on disadvantaged groups.
6.12 Contributions to food security.
Criterion 7: Adequacy and effectiveness of legal, institutional and policy frameworks for sustainable forest management
Indicators, Criterion 7:
7.1 Existence of a national forest policy in harmony with other relevant sectoral policies.
7.2 Existence of a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework providing for access to resources, alternative forms of conflict resolution and consideration of land occupancy and cultural rights of local populations.
7.3 Existence of institutional, human and financial capacity to implement the national forest policy, and relevant national and international laws, instruments and regulations.
7.4 Existence of co-ordinated research and development capacity.
7.5 Existence of monetary and non-monetary incentives for investments in the forestry sector.
7.6 Value of local expertise, knowledge and technologies.
7.7 Existence of measures to facilitate the transfer and adaptation of appropriate technologies.
7.8 Existence of an administrative, policy and legal framework for the effective participation of all stakeholders, i.e. Government, local communities, NGOs and the private sector in forest policy formulation, implementation and monitoring.
7.9 Existence of a regulatory framework for the regulation of genetically modified organisms.
This page was last updated on 03 February 2004