Forest Management is the sustainable management of forests for economic, social and environmental benefits, allowing economic activities, such as timber and non-timber extraction, in a rotation system, ensuring conservation and development. This management requires planning, knowledge of the characteristics of the ecosystem and conscious use of resources. In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly recognized Sustainable Forest Management as a dynamic and evolving concept to maintain and enhance the economic, social and environmental values ​​of forests, considering present and future generations.

These are the seven thematic elements of forest management recognized by the UN:

1. Extent of forest resources
2. Forest biodiversity
3. Forest health and vitality
4. Productive functions of forest resources
5. Protective functions of forest resources
6. Socioeconomic functions of forests
7. Legal, policy and institutional framework

Why do we do forest management?

Forest Profitability and Conservation Enhancement Forest management is a strategy that aims to make forests profitable while also enhancing their conservation. Through sustainable practices, it is possible to obtain economic benefits without compromising environmental preservation. Continuous and Sustainable Timber Production Forest management is carried out through a rotation system, allowing for continuous and sustainable timber production. This method ensures that extraction is carried out in a balanced manner, enabling forest regeneration. Planning and Knowledge of the Ecosystem In order to carry out forest management properly, detailed planning and extensive knowledge of the ecosystem are essential. This includes understanding the forest’s capacity to recover from extracted products, ensuring that exploitation does not exceed the forest’s growth capacity. Implementation in Public and Private Areas Forest management can be applied in both public areas and private properties. In the case of public forests, forest concessions are managed by the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB/MMA). Management activities involve the removal of four to six trees per hectare, ensuring full recovery of the forest within 25 to 30 years. Environmental and Social Benefits Forest management brings benefits to both the environment and local communities. In addition to generating formal jobs for the population living in the areas, it contributes to carbon capture, biodiversity conservation and protection of water sources. Sustainable forest management plays a crucial role in the search for a balance between the responsible use of forest resources and the preservation of ecosystems. By promoting conscious and strategic actions, it is possible to guarantee the well-being of present and future generations, while preserving the natural wealth and biodiversity of forests.

Forest Concessions – Forest Management Plan

What is a Forest Management Plan? A management plan is a detailed and consistent document that enables sustainable use in a specific area. Through studies that include physical, biological and social diagnoses of the conservation unit, this plan defines standards, restrictions on use, actions to be developed and the zoning of the area, establishing levels of protection and standards of use in each region. Sustainable Exploitation and the Public Forest Management Law The Public Forest Management Law provides for the possibility of exploiting different products in areas of sustainable forest management. This includes timber products, such as timber itself and residual woody material (branches, roots and tree trunks). In addition, it includes non-timber products, such as leaves, roots, bark, fruits, seeds, gums, oils, latex and resins. There are also products that are excluded or require special authorization. Sustainable forest management, based on a well-structured plan, is essential to ensure the preservation of natural resources, the conservation of biodiversity and the socioeconomic balance of the communities involved. With the conscious use of forest resources, it is possible to ensure the continuity of forests for present and future generations, in addition to promoting environmentally responsible development.

What is CNI’s position on Forest Management?

Forest conservation is one of the four pillars of the industry towards a low-carbon economy. For the CNI, strengthening the competitiveness of the forestry sector represents the possibility of the country becoming a leader in the international market and in the sustainability agenda. While illegal activities must be combated, the expansion of forest concession areas, based on sustainable forest management, is an opportunity to increase the supply of tropical timber from native forests of legal origin and an important strategy for conserving the remaining forest areas. There are four clear messages from the CNI focused on the protection and sustainable use of the forest:

• Improving the business environment is essential for the development of the forest-based sector. To this end, it is necessary to reduce bureaucracy, establish a clear regulatory framework and implement effective control instruments.
• The expansion of the area of ​​forest exploitation depends on the growth in demand for forest products.
• It is essential to clearly define the institutional locus for addressing the forestry agenda in the federal government.
• The resources of the Amazon Fund and the National Forest Development Fund should be considered in promoting the forestry market and modernizing processes.