This Forest Law [CAP. 85] of Ebonyi State sets up a comprehensive legal framework for the preservation, control, and sustainable management of forests in Ebonyi. It establishes procedures for constituting forest reserves and protected forests, including public notices, inquiries into land rights, and compensation mechanisms. The Law empowers the Commissioner for Agriculture to designate forest reserves, regulate forest activities, and issue licences and permits for forest produce. It also outlines the rights of communities, procedures for appeals, and conditions under which forest rights may be extinguished, modified, or transferred. The Law includes provisions for working plans, local government forest reserves, and the disposal of fees and royalties.
The Law further details offences and penalties related to illegal logging, destruction of forest property, unauthorized hunting, fishing, farming, and residence within forest reserves. It grants forest officers powers to arrest, inspect, seize forest produce, and compound offences. Regulations under the Law govern the issuance of permits, marking of timber, fire control, and transit of forest produce. The Law also includes forms for various permits (e.g., farming, hunting, fishing) and lists designated forest reserves in Ebonyi State.