Legally Required Document

Title in original language: Plan d’aménagement

Applicable to: Exporters

Holder of Document: Concession holder company

Unclear for Artisanal Forest Units 

Signature required by:
Approval must be granted (1) by an official validation committee composed of legal authorities from the Province Ministry in charge of forests and (2) through the publication of an official Order.

Key considerations when checking the doc:
Have the competent authorities approved the forest management plan?

Has the Management plan been approved at the latest 5 years after granting the forest concession?

Is the Management plan valid timewise?

Is the forest identification matching the declarations and other documents provided?

Is there a social program included in the forest management plan?

Are annual harvesting areas and allowable harvesting volumes/number of trees indicated in the Management plan?

Are there any protected areas/species defined in the Management plan, with specific measures?

What are the conditions or restrictions to harvesting established by the Management plan?

Purpose and content of document:
The forest management plan establishes the goals and objectives, including the context of the area to be managed, maps, inventories, and activities to be implemented. Also, a social program needs to be included in the forest management plan to benefit communities based close to or within the forest area.

Evidence limitations and weaknesses:
The Management plan alone does not indicate whether it has been approved or not. The official Order of validation must be present.

Having a Management plan does not guarantee that it is implemented in the field.