This Law consisting of 12 Chapters divided into 53 articles aims at: (i) sustainable development and management of forest resources; (ii) conservation of renewable natural resources by reducing soil erosion, combating desertification, protecting water resources, conserving biodiversity, combating pollution and reducing the impact of climate change; (iii) development of natural and artificial forests, trees and shrubs cultivated in agricultural lands and administrative areas; and (iv) development and organization of ecotourism in forestry. Provisions of this Law apply to: (i) State forests; (ii) private forests; (iii) government lands allocated as forests; and (iv) trees and shrubs, wherever they are located, determined by decision of the Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform. Article 4 establishes that civil society Committees representing the local community shall be established and their functions shall be determined by a decision of the Minister.
A special regulation for investment in State forestry is necessary so as to achieve sustainable development. Furthermore, a licence is requested for extracting materials from forest land and the investor is not permitted to transfer the licensed forest crops either from the investment site, or the concentration and storage sites without a transfer permit specifying the quantity, types, specifications, and routes to be transported (art.8). The rights of utilization in each forest area shall be determined by a decision issued by the Minister, which, in particular, specifies: (i) boundaries of the forest area subject to the right of use; (ii) type of right of use; (iii) holders of this right; (iv) duration of the use; and (v) how to apply for and grant the licenses. As for grazing licenses, they are prohibited in artificial or scorched forest sites with a length of less than two and a half meters, while free grazing permits are granted to the residents of the villages located within and adjacent to the forest. Since State forests are a national wealth they must be protected and developed, and arts.14-17 list the prohibited acts. Conservation zones, forest reserves and botanical gardens are established by a Decision of the Minister. The national system of eco-tourism activities in the forest shall be issued by a decision of the Minister of Agriculture in coordination with the Ministers of Tourism and Environment.
The management, investment and protection of private forests and the reforestation of private lands are entrusted to their owners, and the Ministry has the right to supervise the manner of investment and conservation of these lands and, with the aim of promoting their growth, expansion and prosperity, shall provide expertise, plantations, seeds and other aids within the available capacities and costs (art.25).
Penalties are provided for in arts.29-31 for who caused a fire in the forest, forest lands, forest reserves or prevention areas. The punishment shall be extended to temporary hard labor if a fire caused a permanent injury to a person. Art. 32 provides for who has without prior authorization uprooted, cut down, destroyed or defaced trees or shrubs in the state s forests or carries out any damaging action.