Collection of Firewood Needs Permit-DFRR

The Department of Forestry and Range Resources has advised the public to comply with the Agricultural Resources Conservation Regulations (Statutory Instrument No.8 of 2006) on the utilisation of veldt products.

A public notice from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism says there is a growing concern about excessive use of fuel wood and felling of live trees by some members of the public.

“The indiscriminate felling of live trees is of particular concern because it is detrimental to the environment and a direct cause of land degradation,” reads the public notice.

In addition, the public is reminded that the use of firewood is legally regulated and permits can be obtained from the Department of Forestry and Range Resources in all districts across the country.It says applications for the permit should be done at the district offices where the fuel wood is to be harvested to enable the relevant office to assess and ascertain availability of the fuel wood before the permit can be processed.

“It is important for the applicant to provide a valid identity card, information of the location of the firewood and any additional details that may be required to enable the issuance of permit,” says the public notice.

Permit holders are expected to adhere to terms and conditions of the permit. The notice says felling of live trees for the purposes of fuel wood is strictly prohibited.

Permit issuance is dependent on the availability of fuel wood and the department reserves the right to decline to any applications when deemed necessary or in accordance with the regulations,” says the public notice.

BOPA