Resources
Protection of Wildlife and protected Areas Law No. 6/94
The Law provides for the protection of wildlife and the institution of protected areas within the country; the protection of ecosystem, wild and endangered species of both flora and fauna and the preservation of their habitat; the development of research in the field of natural sciences; the creation of zoological and botanical gardens. The Law institutes also a Committee to enforce the provisions in terms of wildlife protection and preservation and to enact collaboration with international organizations.
Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 1995
An Act to provide for the protection and sustainable use of forests, wildlife and related natural resources of Bhutan for the benefit of present and future generations.
Lease Forest Rules, 1990
These Rules make provision for the leasing of selected degraded forests alienated from the National Forests to individuals, groups of individuals or government institutions. The forest will be leased for not more than 25 years (rule 6.1). The lessee shall develop the forest within a period of three years (6.ule 6.2). The lessee shall apply for a permit to utilize the forest produce (rule 9.1). The lessee may transfer lease rights (rule 10.1). A new agreement will be made between the new lessee and the Divisional Forest Officer (rule 10.2). (12 rules and 3 Schedules)
Private Forestry Rules, 1990
The text consists of 7 Titles: Short Title and Commencement (1); Definitions (2); Registration of Private Forest (3); Incentives for Tree Planting (4); Royalties and Benefit Sharing from the Private Forest (5); Penalty for the Damages to Trees Under Private Forestry Programme (6); Monitoring and Evaluation (7).The Rules are followed by 2 Schedules containing respectively the form of application for the establishment of private forests by farmers in their private land and the form of the certificate of tree planting to be issued by the Range Officer.
Sanction Order on the Rules and Regulations for the collection of Mipchhi (torch wood)
Felling of pinus rexburghii and pinus excelsa (locally known as Mipcchi) is forbidden and sanctioned: collection is consented only from fallen tress or stumps to Nepalese citizens, holding a permit issued by the Forest Officers. Royalties shall be paid according to the provisions of this Order.
Government Order on forest resources utilization
Commercial felling is banned from the whole Southern Bhutan as well as the allotment of forests to private individuals or companies. Under these provisions all logging activities shall operated exclusively by the Government and the use of logged wood for domestic house-building purposes regulated in terms of quantity and quality (wood other than timber).
Bhutan Fishing Rules, 1974
This Regulation regulates fishing in Bhutan. Fishing without a licence in any stream, lake, pond or river is strictly forbidden. A fishing licence shall be issued by the Head of the Department of Forestry, Divisional Forest Officers, or other persons empowered to do so by the Government. Article 4 specified periods during which fishing shall be prohibited. use of fishing methods specified in article 5 is strictly prohibited. Licence holders shall not catch more than eight fishes per day (art. 6). Remaining provisions prescribe offences and penalties and specify fishing licence fees.
Notification on the procedures of forest settlement in Bhutan
The newly instituted Survey and Demarcation Division shall conduct the survey and definiton of boundaries of the so called reserved Forests of Bhutan and shall widely spread information about the forest areas included under this provision, in order to ascertain eventual claims of rights on forests and their products, land and water courses or grazing and pasture rights. The involved land shall be excluded from the reserved forest areas or expropriated or acquired. The right of cultivation shall be restricted or abolished; the right of water use shall be totally or partially accepted or refused; the right to pasture shall be granted with the payment of a Grazing Tax and the amount of cattle grazing in that area shall be determined by the Forestry Department.
Mines and Minerals Management Act, 1995
This Act regulates the exploitation of minerals in the Kingdom of Bhutan and provides a legal framework for regulating the mining industry.The Act stipulates that all rights of ownership of minerals found in private or government land are vested exclusively in the Government. The Head of Ministry is the only authority to lease mineral deposits and shall delegate all powers to the Head of Division including the control of all exploration, mining, mineral processing and geo-scientific activities in Bhutan.
Rules on biological corridors, 2006
These Rules provide for the conservation and management of biological corridors which link protected areas for the safe movement of wildlife.The Rules further provide for: prohibited activities within biological corridors; grazing permits; and offences and penalties.