Changes to Namibia’s Forestry Bill in pipeline

AMENDMENTS were proposed to the Forestry Act on Tuesday to provide for the transfer of this department from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to that of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.

The Forestry Act, which was signed into law in 2001, guides the use and protection of forest resources in Namibia. It also provides directives on how forestry officials should conduct themselves in carrying out their official duties.In March, the forestry department was shifted from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Agriculture.This has meant that a number of institutional arrangements had to be changed.Motivating the amendments in the National Assembly, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Paul Smit reminded the House of the important role forests play in providing a livelihood for especially people in rural areas as well as the vital environmental role of forest.”The majority of the people depend on the forest resources for their daily needs such as energy, food and shelter.It is the forests that provide habitat for game hence contributing significantly to the biodiversity of our country which subsequently contribute to the eco-tourism growth of our country,” said Smit.He said in order for Government to accelerate poverty reduction and food security in rural areas, it was necessary to regard forestry as a priority.The Forestry Amendment Bill proposes that in sections referring to “the Minister” this term be replaced by “Ministry/Minister responsible for forestry management” to provide for any possible shift of this division to another Ministry in future.It also provides directives on how forestry officials should conduct themselves in carrying out their official duties.In March, the forestry department was shifted from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Agriculture.This has meant that a number of institutional arrangements had to be changed.Motivating the amendments in the National Assembly, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Paul Smit reminded the House of the important role forests play in providing a livelihood for especially people in rural areas as well as the vital environmental role of forest.”The majority of the people depend on the forest resources for their daily needs such as energy, food and shelter.It is the forests that provide habitat for game hence contributing significantly to the biodiversity of our country which subsequently contribute to the eco-tourism growth of our country,” said Smit.He said in order for Government to accelerate poverty reduction and food security in rural areas, it was necessary to regard forestry as a priority.The Forestry Amendment Bill proposes that in sections referring to “the Minister” this term be replaced by “Ministry/Minister responsible for forestry management” to provide for any possible shift of this division to another Ministry in future.