The forestry sector in Botswana employs around 3,000 people, with 80% of timber industry wood used as fuel.
The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), an organization that promotes responsible management of forests through certification, has granted an Interim Forest Stewardship Standard to Botswana.
The Interim standard is effective from the 15th June 2024.
It is applicable for all categories of Management Units, including provisions for Small or Low Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMFs) and certification of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP).
FSC said this standard reflects a commitment to social responsibility, environmental protection, and economic sustainability by translating FSC’s Principles and Criteria into effective forest management practices.
Botswana is a country in Southern Africa, with a rich biodiversity and a forestry sector at the forefront of national attention.
Forestry in that country is rich in diverse herbaceous and woody vegetation, provides essential goods, including fuelwood, timber, and medicinal plants.
Land tenure plays a crucial role, highlighting the delicate balance between state, communal, and private ownership. Agricultural land and conservation areas encompass 46.2% and 20% of the territory, respectively.
The new IFSS for Botswana was developed between January 2022 and February 2023. This process included two stakeholder consultations and two face-to-face stakeholder consultation meetings held in Gaborone and Maun, respectively. The standard was finally approved on November 29, 2023.
FSC certification in South Africa is 27 years old.
There are 35 forest management certificates covering timber, bamboo plantations and other forest landscapes.
Figures: FSC