MBABANE – All forests in Eswatini, whether owned by private individuals, companies or other entities, will be required to be registered with government once the proposed Forestry Bill becomes law.
The provision is contained in the Draft Forestry Bill currently undergoing stakeholder validation and forms part of government’s efforts to strengthen oversight and management of the country’s forest resources.
According to the proposed legislation, owners of both existing and future forests will be required to register their forests with the forestry authorities, creating what government hopes will become a comprehensive national database of forest resources.
The measure is aimed at improving monitoring, planning and sustainable management of forests while ensuring compliance with national forestry regulations.
In addition to mandatory registration, the Bill proposes that any individual, company or organisation wishing to establish a new forest will first be required to obtain a permit from the relevant authorities.
The permit requirement is intended to ensure that new forestry developments are established in suitable areas and managed in accordance with environmental standards and national forestry objectives.
Government officials said the provisions would allow authorities to better track the expansion of commercial and private forestry activities while ensuring that forest development does not negatively impact sensitive ecosystems, water resources or biodiversity.
The Bill also gives forestry authorities powers to conduct inspections of forests from time to time to determine compliance with the law.
The inspections will apply to forests owned by both private individuals and corporate entities.
Officials said the inspections are intended to assess whether forest owners are adhering to approved management practices and complying with environmental and forestry requirements.
The proposed legislation empowers authorised forestry officers to enter and inspect registered forests, examine records and verify compliance with permit conditions and other legal obligations.
Government believes the inspection system will help improve accountability within the forestry sector while preventing activities that may threaten sustainable forest management.
The Bill forms part of broader efforts to modernise Eswatini’s forestry legislation and strengthen protection of forest resources amid increasing concerns over deforestation, environmental degradation and climate change.
Once enacted, the legislation is expected to establish clearer regulatory requirements for forest ownership, management and development while enhancing government’s ability to monitor forestry activities throughout the country.
Authorities say the registration, permitting and inspection provisions are not intended to discourage investment in forestry but rather to ensure that forest resources are developed and managed sustainably for the benefit of present and future generations.
The proposed law is currently being reviewed by stakeholders before being submitted for the next stages of the legislative process.
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