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National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998)

Chapter 4 : Use of Forests

Part 2 : Vesting and granting of rights to use State forests

23. Activities which may be licensed in State forests

 

(1) The Minister may in a State forest, license—
(a) the establishment and management of a plantation;
(b) the felling of trees and removal of timber;
(c) the cutting, disturbance, damage or destruction of any other forest produce;
(d) the removal or receipt of any other forest produce;
(e) the use of land, structures or buildings for agricultural, commercial, communications, domestic, industrial, residential or transportation purposes;
(f) the use of roads;
(g) the moving of water, electricity, gas, fuel and any other thing across a State forest;
(h) the construction of any road, building or structure;
(i) the grazing or herding of animals;
(j) the cultivation of land;
(k) hunting and fishing;
(l) the use of a State forest for recreational, educational, cultural or spiritual purposes where there is no right to such use under section 19; and
(m) the use of a State forest for any other purpose, if it is consistent with the sustainable management of the forest.

 

(2) No person may engage in any activity in a State forest for which a licence is required without such a licence, unless he or she—
(a) is exempted under section 24 (6);
(b) is acting in the scope of his or her employment or mandate as an officer, employee or agent of the Department;
(c) has a right to engage in the activity in terms of the Interim Protection of informal Land Rights Act, 1996 (Act No. 31 of 1996);
(d) performs the activity in terms of a contract contemplated in paragraph (b) of section 24(4).

 

(3) An organ of State must obtain a licence to carry on an activity for which a licence is required.