The National Forest Policy, 2002This 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. [ TABLE OF CONTENTS | FOREWORD | PREAMBLE | 1 INTRODUCTION | 2 ISSUES AND POLICY STATEMENTS ~ 2.1 Industrial Forestry ~ 2.2 Community Forestry ~ 2.3 Urban forestry ~ 2.4 Natural forests and woodlands | 3 INSTITUTIONAL, LEGAL AND PLANNING ARRANGEMENTS | APPENDICES ] FOREWORDThe Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland has embarked on a number of initiatives and planning frameworks in pursuit of sustainable development of her people. Among these national initiatives are the Constitutional Review Commission established by His Majesty the King in 1996 to review and update the country's constitution through a participatory process with all members of the society. The report of the Constitutional Review Commission has been presented in August 2001, with recommendations for strengthening of the environmental protection and preservation of the environment for the benefit of the nation. The National Development Strategy (NDS) is the long-term strategy and overall planning framework for the country. Departing from the NDS are short-term development strategies such as the Economic and Social Reform Agenda (ESRA) and inter-sectoral policies and legislative frameworks that guide and regulate the country's development process. The Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland has targeted as one of its goals the attainment of sustainable economic development through sound environment management policies and appropriate legislation. This is to be achieved through sustainable use of land and by equitable access to land and other natural resources with shared benefits. Agricultural and industrial development are the cornerstones of national development. Food security, sustainable livelihoods, creation of employment opportunities, income generation and poverty alleviation are key policy elements that must be adequately addressed as essential issues in the national development process. In this regard, natural resources necessary for meeting basic human life such as land, water, soil, trees and forest, wildlife and fisheries must be used rationally to secure sustained quality of life and development of our people. The Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland is developing and implementing policies and legislation relating to the agricultural and environment sectors. Notable among these are the National Land Policy, the National Environment Policy, the Livestock Development Policy, the National Water Policy, the National Resettlement Policy and the National Forest Policy. The National Forest Policy intends to achieve sustainable forest management and sustainable development of all types of forests. It is the wish of Government that all stakeholders and other interested parties including traditional authorities and communities will work together in furtherance of the achievement of the forest policy objectives and goals. The forest policy elements will be translated into forest legislation and a national forestry action programme, which will define the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, including Government, the private sector, communities, non-governmental organisations and other interested groups. It is my hope that the forest policy elements enshrined in this document will adequately address the issues and concerns of stakeholders. I wish to express my appreciation and gratitude on behalf of my ministry and the Swaziland Government to all stakeholders who tirelessly contributed to the preparation and production of the National Forest Policy. MP ROY D.N. FANOURAKIS MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES AUGUST 2001 This page was last updated on 25 November 2004 |