NATIONAL LEVEL PRINCIPLES, CRITERIA, INDICATORS AND STANDARDS

This fact sheet outlines the national-level principles, criteria, indicators, and standards established under the National Forests Act 84 of 1998, as published in Government Gazette 30183 with a commencement date of 24 August 2007. It provides a framework for the sustainable development and management of forests, integrating environmental conservation, economic viability, and social equity.

• The framework establishes that natural forests should not be destroyed except in exceptional cases where the Minister determines a new land use offers superior economic, social, or environmental benefits.
• Forest management must prioritize the conservation of biological diversity, ecosystems, habitats, and natural resources, specifically soil and water.
• The guidelines mandate that forests be managed to ensure the fair distribution of benefits and to advance individuals or groups previously disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.
• The framework incorporates social and governance objectives, including the reduction of HIV/AIDS impacts, the minimization of crime in forestry areas, and the promotion of effective stakeholder participation in environmental governance.
• Sustainable forest management is supported by legal and administrative requirements, including compliance with the South African Constitution, periodic policy reviews, and the integration of social, economic, and environmental impacts into management planning.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2007). NATIONAL LEVEL PRINCIPLES, CRITERIA, INDICATORS AND STANDARDS. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/National-Level-Principles.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. NATIONAL LEVEL PRINCIPLES, CRITERIA, INDICATORS AND STANDARDS. 2007. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/National-Level-Principles.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=NATIONAL LEVEL PRINCIPLES, CRITERIA, INDICATORS AND STANDARDS |date=24 August 2007 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/National-Level-Principles.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrights2007national, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{NATIONAL LEVEL PRINCIPLES, CRITERIA, INDICATORS AND STANDARDS}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2007}, month = aug, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/National-Level-Principles.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }