This past June 13, 2023, Presidential Decree 06-2023, “Creating the National Policy to Avoid Deforestation and Degradation of Forests”, was published in La Gaceta, Official Gazette, which is of general application to all entities. State, natural or legal persons, national or foreign, throughout the national territory (the “Forest Policy”).
The Forest Policy aims to promote actions that prevent deforestation and degradation of forests, as well as, restore the right of indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and rural communities to enjoy, with environmental sustainability, the benefits generated by forest ecosystems.
The Forest Policy is made up of six strategic lines that are harmonized with the Political Constitution of Nicaragua, the Food Security and Sovereignty Policy and the National Plan to Fight Poverty and for Human Development 2022-2026. These strategic lines are the following:
- Strengthen awareness, education, communication, promotion of values and information related to the protection of Mother Earth, taking into account the territorial identity and worldview of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples.
- Strengthen national, regional and local coordination focused on the proper use of land and natural resources, considering environmental, forestry and agricultural laws and policies.
- Promote the protection, conservation and restoration of landscapes and biological corridors through afforestation, reforestation and natural regeneration in the country.
- Promote low-emission primary production models, as well as producer income and employment.
- Promote investments and strengthening the forestry value chain with a focus on sustainable markets; that value sustainability and the reduction of deforestation and forest degradation.
- Strengthen initiatives for adaptation to climate change in the territories of native and Afro-descendant peoples of the country.
Below, we point out some specific actions addressed by the Forest Policy:
- Promote investment lines and forestry incentives through forest conservation on farms.
- Promote incentives for good environmental practices that encourage forest conservation in the country.
- Strengthen and update the current environmental, forestry and agricultural legal framework.
- Promote mechanisms and financial products to improve access to credit related to the adoption of conservation measures.
- Promote private investment, the model of public-private alliances and shared responsibility for forestry projects that expand forest cover, reduce degradation and contribute to the restoration of ecosystems.
- Promote forest restoration with a carbon market approach.
