New Law Will Prevent Politicization
The new forestry law will make it difficult for forestry management to become politicized, according to Rigoberto Sandoval Corea, civil society representative and advisor to the National Congress' Forestry Law Report Commission.
Sandoval Corea has participated in the forestry law proposal and discussion process along with various civil society organizations which for years have yearned for a profound change in a forestry sector which according to reports from various sectors suffers numerous defects, from politicization to corruption in the management of resources.
Sandoval Corea stated that important agreements have been reached, and that these imply changes that will have an impact on national life since more than 87 percent of the country's land area is dedicated to forestry activities.
He stated that these changes include putting forestry under its own ministry instead of under a sub-ministry, which means that after the approval of the new forestry law the functions currently carried out by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (SERNA) and AFE-COHDEFOR will be taken over by a new ministry dedicated to forest conservation and development.
He also cited as an advantage the fact that the income generated by the Honduran Forestry Development Corporation (COHDEFOR) will now reinvested in the forest if the new proposal is passed.
Another important result if the law were passed would be the installation of a forestry minister in the government cabinet, a position of influence at the decision-making level.
The cabinet position would be joined by a newly created Forestry Commissioner
position, the holder of which would be responsible for the law's enforcement.
This commissioner would be appointed by congress from a list prepared
by the National Forestry Council (CONAFOR), an advisory organization made
up of government representatives, members of civil society, campesino
organizations, and women's organizations.
Article:
New
Forestry Law
proposal sent
to Congress
Law
works to respond
to all concerns
Interviews:
Rural worker´s perspective
AJS lawyer -Gilda Espinal
Talking to Congress