FAO Forestry country profiles - legislation

Angola

Forestry legislation

Angola is probably the only African country having neither a forest code nor a legal framework for one. The current forestry legislation dates from colonial times. The forestry sector still makes use of the edict established by Decree Law n°44531 of 21 June 1962, which remains to this day the sole legal instrument covering forestry, wildlife and fisheries. The Decree does cover the use and harvesting of forest resources and wildlife, but makes no mention of management or silviculture, and its terms are vague and imprecise. It did undergo review in 1981-82 and in 1989, but is still poorly suited to the situation on the ground. Regulations governing natural resource conservation date back to 1977 with Decree Law n°43/77 of 5 May 1977 defining the various categories of protected areas.