IMPORTANCE OF FORESTRY SECTOR

Forests housed a range of important environmental, social and biological diversity. These key important functions of the forests needs to be considered, including the important contribution that forests has made to human wellbeing. These issues are taken into consideration to strike a balance between human needs for sustainable livelihood, and the ecological functions of this resource. Forests are important for the daily livelihood of people of Vanuatu. Forests provide greenery to our environment and housed the nation’s rich ecological biodiversity. Forests provide food, clean water, building materials and fuel wood for sustaining life in the rural communities. Forests are part of our culture and are a source of traditional medicine. Forests form an important source of income generator to our rural communities, and have the potential to develop some products into a significant industry which has the ability to provide jobs for many Ni-Vanuatus

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS

The Department of Forests (DOF) has the regulative and administrative responsibility for the management of the forestry sector throughout Vanuatu. It leads the implementation of the National Forest Policy and implements and enforces the forestry legislation. It promotes the integral and sustainable management of all forest resources for the supply of products and services. It approves utilization operation agreements and ensures that all forest-related orders and codes are implemented. It collects information about forest resources, conducts forest research and facilitates the development of commercial plantations and agro-forestry systems. It provides advice on forest conservation, protected areas and National Parks. The DOF provides forest policy advice to the Government and ensures the sustainable management and conservation of Vanuatu’s forests.