The Forestry Commission is a corporate body, directly responsible to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. It regulates the utilisation of forest and wildlife resources and ensures the conservation and management of those resources as well as the co-ordination of policies related to them.
1. Undertakes the development of forest plantations for the restoration of degraded forest areas, the expansion of the country’s forest cover and the increase in the production of industrial timber. The Forestry Commission comprises three main divisions and two centres performing the functions of protection, development, management and regulation of the utilisation of forest and wildlife resources. These divisions and centres are: Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Forest Services Division (FSD), Wildlife Division (WD), Resource Management Support Centre (RMSC) and Forestry Commission Training Centre (FCTC)
2. Regulates the utilisation of forest, timber and wildlife resources by; vetting and the registration of contracts to market timber and such other forest and wildlife products as the Commission may determine; the establishment of procedures to track the movement of timber, wood and wildlife products; monitoring the harvesting, marketing of forest and wildlife products and related contracts; promoting the development and dissemination of appropriate industrial standards and trade guidelines for timber, wood and wildlife products; the conduct of pre-shipment inspection and examination of timber, wood and wildlife products.
3. Manages the nation’s forest reserves and protected areas by proper planning for the protection, harvesting and development of forest and wildlife resources in a sustainable manner; monitoring the condition and extent of the nation’s forest and wildlife resources; controlling the harvesting of forest and wildlife products; making recommendations to the Minister on the grant of timber rights and wildlife licenses; advising the Minister on forest and wildlife policy with particular regard to management practices that sustain resources and improve productivity.
4. Assists the private sector and other bodies with the implementation of forest and wildlife policies by: advising and providing technical services with regard to matters of resource protection, management and development and of market intelligence pertaining to the timber and wildlife industries; co-operating and liaising with national and international bodies and organisations on forestry and wildlife conservation and utilisation; supporting the development of forest plantations for the restoration of degraded forest reserves, the increased production of industrial timber and the expansion of the country’s protected forest cover; advising the appointing authority on matters concerning employment, discipline and training of staff.
