The Beninese authorities approved, Wednesday, February 22, during a Council of Ministers, the forest policy of Benin 2023-2032.
In a press release published at the end of the meeting, the government highlights the environmental degradation of natural forest ecosystems, at such an accelerated pace, which requires an appropriate redefinition of objectives, instruments and actions in order to be able to put in place a sustained and sustainable conservation management of forests for the benefit of sustainable development, food security and the well-being of rural populations.
According to the authorities, this table calls for an in-depth review of the forest policy, to align it with the new vision of socio-economic development, in order to initiate a sectoral policy more favorable to the sustainable management of forest resources, maintain authorities.
According to the press release, the analysis of the forest regulations in force reveals that:
– the forestry policy adopted in 1994 has become obsolete and unsuited to the current situation in Benin;
– the multiple efforts made since then to develop a renewed forest policy have not succeeded; which obliges the forest administration to multiply the solutions and the partial regulatory texts, hence the need for a complete overhaul of the legislation in the sector;
– multiple levies are made on forest products in defiance of the taxes provided for by current forest taxation;
– the growing threat of extreme natural phenomena linked to climate change on natural and forest resources is persistent.
The government, in the search for a solution to the safeguard of the forest heritage, has therefore set up the National Commission for the Reform of the sector whose work has recommended, among other things, the revision of the legislative and regulatory framework.
It is indicated that this forest policy document is the result of this work. This document postulates that “by 2040, Benin’s forest areas are restored, conserved and sustainably managed to fulfill their multiple functions in favor of the economy, society, the environment and the climate”.
It reflects the desire to have a decent living environment, conducive to the sustainable well-being of populations, to the development of economic activities; and confirms the need to avoid the accentuation of forest degradation currently observed with unfortunate consequences, the acceleration of the weakening of natural ecosystems, desertification and global warming as well as the deterioration of the living environment and the aggravation of poverty.
In general, this Policy aims to improve by 2027, the quality of governance of the forest sector at all levels and then to preserve, from 2030, biodiversity in all forest areas, continues the press release.
The Council instructed the Minister for the Living Environment and Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the other ministers concerned, to ensure the popularization of the adopted document, as well as its effective implementation.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1062 of 23/02/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
