The 34 sections of this Act are divided into 8 Parts: Preliminary (I); Administration (II); Forest Plantation Agreements (III); Utilisation operations (IV); Conservation (V); Protection from fire (VI); Financial (VII); General and transitional (VIII). The minister shall be responsible for the proper management and development of forest resources in Vanuatu. He may delegate powers to forest officers or any other public officer (sect. 2). The Government may enter into Forest Plantation Agreements with owners pursuant to section 3, for the purpose of assisting the owner in planting trees on land. Persons wishing to carry out forest utilisation operations shall first obtain a licence, except if that person is exempted by the Minister or the timber is required for his own use. Section 11 provides for utilisation agreements between forest operators and owners of land. The Minister shall keep a register of such agreements. The Government may also enter into Joint ventures for the purpose of exploitation of resources on private land (sect. 15). The Minister may forbid or restrict clearing or any other utilisation operation for purposes of protection of the soil, to preserve the ecological balance, or otherwise protect the environment or landscape (art. 21).
瓦努阿图 · 1982-07-26