Legally Required Document

Applicable to: Timber rights holders for natural forest and plantations located in forest reserves and salvage permit holders

Holder of Document: Parties to the agreement namely: 1) logging company, TUC Holder or contractor and 2) forest fringe communities within 5 km from forest boundary. 

Signature required by:
Parties to the agreement (representative of the timber harvesting entity, representative(s) of the community), witnesses, and FSD official. Signatories differ according to each community. In some communities the District Assembly will be a witness.

Key considerations when checking the doc:
1. Was the Forest Services Division involved in the location of relevant communities, negotiation and signing of the SRA?
2. Was the District Manager of Forest Services Division or representative serving as witness, moderator, and a guide to the value of the 5% present during the negotiations?
 The community/communities were consulted and agreed to the terms of the agreement (code of conduct and social obligation)?
 Is the negotiation process documented?
 Were the signatories involved in signing the SRA document present during the negotiation processes?
 Does the community know the terms and conditions in the agreement?
 Does the community have a copy of signed SRAs?
 Does the Salvage permit or TUC holder have copies of the agreement? Was any work plan developed for the implementation of the SRA?

Purpose and content of document:
The Social Responsibility Agreement (SRA) is a required, signed agreement that must exist between all salvage permit holders, TUC holders of natural forest and non-private land plantation harvesting entities, and the fringe communities within 5 km of their operation. The aim of the SRA is to ensure that timber harvesting is conducted in a way that respects the rights of the communities and that the communities benefit directly and financially from the exploitation of timber resources in their area. The process of negotiating and signing the SRA is facilitated by the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission. The SRA requires the Salvage permit/TUC holder to provide for amenities, services, or benefits to cater for negotiated development needs of the communities and inhabitants of the timber operational area at a cost of 5% of the value of the stumpage fee of the timber that is harvested.

Evidence limitations and weaknesses:
A single timber right holder may have several SRAs and it is difficult to verify actual number of communities qualified for SRA from off-site document review unless done on-site.