The Forestry Commission Act, 1999 (Act 571)

This Act establishes the Forestry Commission (FC) as body corporate (an entity that can sue and be sued). The FC has the following key functions:

• regulate the utilization of forest and timber resources
• manage forest reserves and protected areas
• assist the private sector to implement the Forest and Wildlife Policy
• undertake the development of plantations

The act continues by identifying the members of the FC, of whom one should be a representative of non-governmental organizations involved in the forest and wildlife sector. The members are eligible for renewable periods of 4 years. Voting is done with a minimum of 6 members present and by simple majority. The commission can appoint committees to which it can delegate some of its functions.

Administratively the FC may establish such divisions as it considers necessary, as well as additional units to its secretariat. The Chief Executive’s appointment procedure and functions are also included in the act.

Part III includes financial provisions and provisions in relation to the internal auditor, annual report (which has to be transmitted to Parliament by the Minister accompanied by his remarks) and transitional provisions.

Amendments

The Timber Resources Management (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 617) inserted a provision in the Forestry Commission Act obliging any project that involves Forest or Wildlife to be submitted to the FC for assessment and recommendations to the Minister.