BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Algeria has officially published a new law aimed at preserving, enhancing, and sustainably exploiting its forests and forest resources. Signed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on December 23, the law was recently published in the Official Gazette (Issue No. 83).
The primary objective of this legislation is to establish and enforce regulations governing the management, protection, expansion, and sustainable development of the national forest heritage. It also focuses on the responsible exploitation of forests and forested lands, ensuring protection against deforestation and erosion.
The law is designed to contribute to the protection of wildlife, flora, soil conservation, desertification prevention, and the overall valorization of forests and forest resources. It emphasizes the national duty of every citizen and resident to protect and contribute to the sustainable development of Algeria’s forest heritage.
In line with the new law, the national forest heritage is considered a national treasure and a collective asset. It is the duty of all citizens and residents within the national territory to protect and actively contribute to its sustainable development.
Furthermore, the sustainable management of forests, woodlands, and lands with forest potential is declared a fundamental priority within the national policy for economic and social development. This commitment aligns with the overall territorial planning process.
The law mandates the periodic execution of an inventory of national forest resources every ten years, ensuring the continuous update of this data. This inventory is crucial for the development of the national forest development plan and the guidance of the national forest strategy.
The legislation introduces a stringent requirement for the reclassification of land under the public forest domain, which can only be done through a decree issued by the Council of Ministers. This measure safeguards the state’s ownership of public land and prevents its loss.
To combat forest fires and protect the national forest heritage, the law prohibits the use of fire within forested areas or within 500 meters. This includes the imprudent or negligent use of fire, cooking in unauthorized areas, and the abandonment of waste that could trigger fires.
The new law imposes prison sentences and fines for individuals found guilty of offenses related to forest fires, deforestation, pasture and plowing violations, illegal constructions or occupations within the public forest domain, as well as offenses related to illegal extraction of forest products and damage to fauna and flora.
The law stipulates severe penalties, including life imprisonment, for anyone intentionally setting fire to state-owned forest assets, local government assets, or public entities planning environmental destruction or illegal exploitation of forest and animal wealth.
This legislation repeals the provisions of the amended Law No. 84-12 of June 23, 1984, which governed the general regime of forests. However, the existing implementing texts of the previous law will remain in effect until the publication of the implementing texts of the new law, with a maximum deadline of one year from its publication.
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