Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Functions of the Department Section 1 – General duty of the Department
This section places the Department’s duty to promote forestry on a wider footing than the traditional primary role of developing afforestation, the supply of timber, and the maintenance of reserves of growing trees. This had been the emphasis in the 1953 Act, and while this traditional role continues, section 1 recognises that modern sustainable forestry also includes protection of the environment, biodiversity, climate change and social and recreational use.