Resource information
The overall objective of the present National Forest Policy is the conservation, protection, management and utilisation of the nation’s forest resources, while ensuring that the productive capacity of the forests for both goods and services is maintained or enhanced. In particular, the specific objectives are: a) to promote sustainable and efficient forest activities which utilise the broad range of forest resources and contribute to national development while allowing fair returns to local and foreign entrepreneurs and investors; b) to achieve improved sustainable forest resource yields while ensuring the conservation of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the environment; c) to ensure watershed protection and rehabilitation: prevent and arrest the erosion of soils and the deforestation and degradation of forests, grazing lands, soil and water; promote natural regeneration, afforestation and reforestation; and protect the forest against fire, pests and other hazards; d) identify, quantify and assist in the marketing of environmental services to generate forest incentives for national development.The present National Forest Plan provides the framework within which identified programmes and activities are implemented in a manner that ensures cohesion with the National Forest Policy, and compliance with the laws that govern the forest estate and its use. The National Forest Plan also identifies the Commission’s responsibilities for implementation and describes the mechanisms to be used for monitoring and providing feedback to update the policy and planning process.The National Forest Plan is divided into eleven programmes which follow the key areas of action identified in the National Forest Policy Statement: 1) National forest programme: Implementation of forest policy, legislation and sector plans, monitoring and evaluation of implementation and feedback to inform reviews and updates; 2) Forest classification: Preparation of forest resource information and development of procedures to ensure that forest allocation and use is integrated and co-ordinated with national land use planning and land use conflicts are managed or resolved; 3) Forest resource planning and allocation: Continued implementation of fair and transparent procedures for the allocation of forest resources and preparation of forest resource management plans using the best information available on resource capabilities and potential; 4) Forest operation monitoring and regulation establishment, monitoring and enforcement of working standards and guidelines which allow appropriate returns to operators whilst maintaining the ecological functions, ecosystem integrity and sustainability of the resource; 5) Forest industry investment: Continued implementation of guidelines and provision of support to attract investment in the forest sector that is consistent with the capacity of the forest resource base; 6) Forest products marketing promotion of improved marketing through research, provision of market information and expertise and the development of quality standards for forest products; 7) Forest research: Effective utilisation of human and other resources to coordinate priority forest research activities and critical problem areas; 8) Forest sector information: Promotion of awareness, understanding and appreciation of forestry issues and forest values by dissemination of knowledge and information; 9) Forest sector education and training: Development of training capacity and improvement of delivery to provide forest sector personnel skilled, trained and educated to nationally recognised standards; 10) Social development programme: Development of partnerships to deliver social services to communities and to monitor and regulate the social impacts of forest operations.The Guyana Forestry Commission provides support to small and mid-sized entities through the community forestry programme in areas of governance, financial management, organization support, sustainable forest management, academic vocational training, and also in the provision/access to resources and other capacity-building support.Four approaches to implementation will be used: 1) action by the GFC through implementation of legislated responsibilities; 2) institutional and inter-agency collaboration such as government agencies and NGOs; 3) collaborative partnerships and agreements with specific entities/groups/governments such as FPA, GMSA, NTC, international governments and agencies.; 4) broad participation by interest groups where multi-stakeholder involvement is encouraged.The Commissioner of Forests is responsible for overall co-ordination and oversight of the execution of the National Forest Plan. The Commission will monitor implementation of the Plan and facilitate updates and revisions as necessary. Monitoring reports and Plan updates shall be circulated to stakeholders.One of the objectives is to (National planning and co-ordination) develop a sustainable and productive forest sector, fully and effectively integrated into the national economy, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.The text consists of 8 chapters as follows: Introduction (1); National Planning and Co-ordination (2); Forest Resource Management (3); Forest Industry (4); Research and information (5); Education and Training .(6); Social Development (7); Linkages (8).
Implements: Forests Act 2009 (No. 6 of 2009). (2010-10-12)
