NATIONAL FORESTS ACT 84 OF 1998: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LIST OF PROTECTED TREE SPECIES DECLARED AS PROTECTED IN TERMS OF SECTIONS AND 13 OF THE ACT

NATIONAL FORESTS ACT 84 OF 1998: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LIST OF PROTECTED TREE SPECIES DECLARED AS PROTECTED IN TERMS OF SECTIONS AND 13 OF THE ACT

Notice Title: National Forests Act 84 of 1998(“NFA”): Proposed Amendments to the List of Protected Tree Species Declared as Protected in terms of Sections and 13 of the Act

Government Notice: GN 1487 in GG 45435 on 8 November 2021

Commencing date: Comments to be submitted on or before 8 December 2021.

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (“the Minister”), in terms of sections 12(1)(d) and 13 of the NFA, intents to amend the List of Protected Tree Species as published under GNR 155 of 1 March 2021, by the addition of four more species for protection.

The species include the following:

  • Berchemia zeyheri, also known as red or pink ivory
  • Diospyros mespiliformis, also known as Jackal Berry
  • Schinziophyton rautanenii, also known as Manketti; and
  • Umtiza listeriana, also known as Umtiza.

The species are proposed for addition to the existing list of protected tree species after evaluation by an expert panel, on the basis that they are keystone species and vulnerable to particular threats in specific parts of their distribution range. The effect of the declaration will be that no person may cut, disturb, damage or destroy any protected trees; or possess, collect, remove, transport, export, purchase, sell, donate or in any other manner acquire or dispose of these protected trees, except under a license granted by the Minister, or in terms of the exemption from the provisions published by the Minister in the Government Gazette on the advice of the National Forests Advisory Council.

Members of the public are invited to submit written comments and inputs on or before 8 December 2021.

For a copy of the Government Notice click here.

For assistance or queries please contact Jan Nel at jan@shangoni.co.za.

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