Ley General de Desarrollo Forestal Sustentable
The Ley General de Desarrollo Forestal Sustentable (General Forestry Law) establishes the framework for the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of forest resources in Mexico. The law governs forest management plans, permits for timber extraction, reforestation programs, and the prevention of forest fires and illegal logging. It establishes the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) as the responsible federal agency and recognizes the rights of indigenous and local communities to forest resources.
Legal area: Environmental law regulates human activities affecting the environment, including resource protection, pollution, and conservation.
Year enacted: 2003
Full text: https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/htm/ley_general_desarrollo_forestal.htm
Key Provisions
- Art. 2: Sustainable forest management (manejo forestal sustentable)
- Art. 3-5: Forest types and protection (tipos de bosques)
- Art. 17-25: Forest management plans (planes de manejo forestal)
- Art. 26-30: Permits for timber extraction (permisos de aprovechamiento)
- Art. 31-38: Reforestation and restoration (reforestación y restauración)
- Art. 62-67: Prevention of forest fires and illegal logging
- Art. 68-72: Community forest rights (derechos forestales comunitarios)
Significance
The Forestry Law is critical for Mexico’s environmental management, particularly given the country’s significant forest resources and the challenges of deforestation and illegal logging. CONAFOR administers the national forest program, including payments for ecosystem services (PSA). The law’s recognition of community forest rights is significant, as indigenous and ejido communities manage a substantial portion of Mexico’s forests.