Forest Law of the People's Republic of China

Chapter I General provisions

　　第一条　为了保护、培育和合理利用森林资源，加快国土绿化，发挥森林蓄水保土、调节气候、改善环境和提供林产品的作用，适应社会主义建设和人民生活的需要，特制定本法。

　　第二条　在中华人民共和国领域内从事森林、林木的培育种植、采伐利用和森林、林木、林地的经营管理活动，都必须遵守本法。

　　Article 3 Forest resources shall be owned by the State, except those owned by collectives as stipulated by law。

　　国家所有的和集体所有的森林、林木和林地，个人所有的林木和使用的林地，由县级以上地方人民政府登记造册，发放证书，确认所有权或者使用权。国务院可以授权国务院林业主管部门，对国务院确定的国家所有的重点林区的森林、林木和林地登记造册，发放证书，并通知有关地方人民政府。

　　森林、林木、林地的所有者和使用者的合法权益，受法律保护，任何单位和个人不得侵犯。

　　Article 4 Forests are divided into the following five categories:

　　（一）防护林：以防护为主要目的的森林、林木和灌木丛，包括水源涵养林，Soil and water conservation林，防风固沙林，农田、牧场防护林，护岸林，护路林；

　　（二）用材林：以生产木材为主要目的的森林和林木，包括以生产竹材为主要目的的竹林；

　　（三）经济林：以生产果品，食用油料、饮料、调料，工业原料和药材等为主要目的的林木；

　　(4) Firewood forests: trees whose primary purpose is to produce fuel;

　　（五）特种用途林：以国防、环境保护、科学实验等为主要目的的森林和林木，包括国防林、实验林、母树林、环境保护林、风景林，名胜古迹和革命纪念地的林木，自然保护区的森林。

　　第五条　林业建设实行以营林为基础，普遍护林，大力造林，采育结合，永续利用的方针。

　　第六条　国家鼓励林业科学研究，推广林业先进技术，提高林业科学技术水平。

　　第七条　国家保护林农的合法权益，依法减轻林农的负担，禁止向林农违法收费、罚款，禁止向林农进行摊派和强制集资。

　　国家保护承包造林的集体和个人的合法权益，任何单位和个人不得侵犯承包造林的集体和个人依法享有的林木所有权和其他合法权益。

　　Article 8 The State shall adopt the following protective measures for forest resources:

　　（一）对森林实行限额采伐，鼓励植树造林、封山育林，扩大森林覆盖面积；

　　（二）根据国家和地方人民政府有关规定，对集体和个人造林、育林给予经济扶持或者长期贷款；

　　(3) Promote the comprehensive utilization and economical use of wood, and encourage the development and use of wood substitutes;

　　(4) collection of forestry fees for afforestation and forest cultivation;

　　（五）煤炭、造纸等部门，按照煤炭和木浆纸张等产品的产量提取一定数额的资金，专门用于营造坑木、造纸等用材林；

　　(6) Establish a forestry fund system。

　　国家设立森林生态效益补偿基金，用于提供生态效益的防护林和特种用途林的森林资源、林木的营造、抚育、保护和管理。The forest ecological benefit compensation fund must be used exclusively for special purposes and may not be diverted for other purposes。Specific measures shall be formulated by The State Council。

　　第九条　国家和省、自治区人民政府，对民族自治地方的林业生产建设，依照国家对民族自治地方自治权的规定，在森林开发、木材分配和林业基金使用方面，给予比一般地区更多的自主权和经济利益。

　　Article 10 The competent forestry department under The State Council shall be in charge of the forestry work throughout the country。The competent forestry departments of the local people's governments at or above the county level shall be in charge of the forestry work in their respective areas。People's governments at township level shall have full-time or part-time personnel responsible for forestry work。

　　Article 11 It is the duty of citizens to plant trees and protect forests。People's governments at all levels shall organize the whole people to plant trees and carry out afforestation activities on a compulsory basis。

　　第十二条　在植树造林、保护森林、森林管理以及林业科学研究等方面成绩显著的单位或者个人，由各级人民政府给予奖励。

Chapter II Forest management

　　第十三条　各级林业主管部门依照本法规定，对森林资源的保护、利用、更新，实行管理和监督。

　　第十四条　各级林业主管部门负责组织森林资源清查，建立资源档案制度，掌握资源变化情况。

　　第十五条　下列森林、林木、林地使用权可以依法转让，也可以依法作价入股或者作为合资、合作造林、经营林木的出资、合作条件，但不得将林地改为非林地：

　　(1) timber forests, economic forests and firewood forests;

　　(2) the land-use right of timber forest, economic forest and firewood forest;

　　(3) The right to the use of forest land where the timber forest, economic forest or firewood forest has been cut or burned;

　　(4) The right to use other forests, trees and other woodlands as prescribed by The State Council。

　　依照前款规定转让、作价入股或者作为合资、合作造林、经营林木的出资、合作条件的，已经取得的林木采伐许可证可以同时转让，同时转让双方都必须遵守本法关于森林、林木采伐和更新造林的规定。

　　除本条第一款规定的情形外，其他森林、林木和其他林地使用权不得转让。

　　Specific measures shall be formulated by The State Council。

　　Article 16 People's governments at all levels shall formulate long-term forestry plans。国有林业企业事业单位和自然保护区，应当根据林业长远规划，编制森林经营方案，报上级主管部门批准后实行。

　　林业主管部门应当指导农村集体经济组织和国有的农场、牧场、工矿企业等单位编制森林经营方案。

　　第十七条　单位之间发生的林木、林地所有权和使用权争议，由县级以上人民政府依法处理。

　　个人之间、个人与单位之间发生的林木所有权和林地使用权争议，由当地县级或者乡级人民政府依法处理。

　　当事人对人民政府的处理决定不服的，可以在接到通知之日起一个月内，向人民法院起诉。

　　Before the dispute over the ownership of forest trees or forest land is settled, no party may cut down the trees in dispute。

　　Article 18 To carry out exploration and mining of mineral deposits and various construction projects，Should not occupy or occupy less forest land;Forest land must be occupied or requisitioned，After examination and approval by the competent forestry department of the people's government at or above the county level，The examination and approval procedures for construction land shall be carried out in accordance with relevant laws and administrative regulations on land administration，The land use unit shall pay the forest vegetation restoration fee in accordance with the relevant provisions of The State Council。森林植被恢复费专款专用，由林业主管部门依照有关规定统一安排植树造林，恢复森林植被，植树造林面积不得少于因占用、征用林地而减少的森林植被面积。上级林业主管部门应当定期督促、检查下级林业主管部门组织植树造林、恢复森林植被的情况。

　　No unit or individual may misappropriate the forest vegetation restoration fee。Audit institutions of the people's governments at or above the county level shall strengthen supervision over the use of forest vegetation restoration fees。

Chapter III Forest protection

　　Article 19 Local people's governments at all levels shall organize relevant departments to establish forest protection organizations，To be responsible for forest protection;Increase forest protection facilities in large forest areas according to actual needs，Strengthen forest protection;Supervise and supervise the grass-roots units with forests and forest areas，Conclude a forest protection convention，Organize the masses to protect the forest，Delimit areas of responsibility for forest protection，With full-time or part-time forest rangers。

　　Forest rangers may be appointed by people's governments at the county or township levels。The main duty of forest rangers is to patrol the forest and stop the destruction of forest resources。In case of damage to forest resources, forest rangers have the right to request the relevant local departments to deal with it。

　　Article 20 Forest public security organs established in forest areas in accordance with relevant state regulations，To be responsible for the maintenance of social order in the jurisdiction，Protect the forest resources within the jurisdiction，And may be in accordance with the provisions of this Law，Within the scope authorized by the competent forestry department under The State Council，代行本法第三十九条、第四十二条、第四十三条、第四十四条规定的行政处罚权。

　　The armed forest police force shall carry out the tasks entrusted by the State to prevent and fight forest fires。

　　第二十一条　地方各级人民政府应当切实做好森林火灾的预防和扑救工作：

　　（一）规定森林防火期，在森林防火期内，禁止在林区野外用火；因特殊情况需要用火的，必须经过县级人民政府或者县级人民政府授权的机关批准；

　　(2) Setting up fire prevention facilities in forest areas;

　　(3) In case of forest fire, the local military, civilian and relevant departments must be immediately organized to fight and rescue;

　　(4) Those who are injured, disabled or sacrificed while fighting forest fires，国家职工由所在单位给予医疗、抚恤；非国家职工由起火单位按照国务院有关主管部门的规定给予医疗、抚恤，The unit that started the fire is not responsible for it or cannot afford it，Medical treatment and pension shall be provided by the local people's government。

　　Article 22 The competent forestry departments at all levels shall be responsible for organizing the prevention and control of forest diseases and insect pests。

　　林业主管部门负责规定林木种苗的检疫对象，划定疫区和保护区，对林木种苗进行检疫。

　　Article 23 Reclamation of deforestation, quarrying of stone, sand, soil and other acts of deforestation are prohibited。

　　It is prohibited to cut wood and graze cattle in young woodland and special use forest。

　　进入森林和森林边缘地区的人员，不得擅自移动或者损坏为林业服务的标志。

　　Article 24 The competent forestry department under The State Council and the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government，应当在不同自然地带的典型森林生态地区、珍贵动物和植物生长繁殖的林区、天然热带雨林区和具有特殊保护价值的其他天然林区，Designation of nature reserves，Strengthen protection and management。

　　Measures for the administration of nature reserves shall be formulated by the competent forestry department under The State Council and submitted to The State Council for approval。

　　对自然保护区以外的珍贵树木和林区内具有特殊价值的植物资源，应当认真保护；未经省、自治区、直辖市林业主管部门批准，不得采伐和采集。

　　第二十五条　林区内列为国家保护的野生动物，禁止猎捕；因特殊需要猎捕的，按照国家有关法规办理。

Chapter IV Planting trees

　　第二十六条　各级人民政府应当制定植树造林规划，因地制宜地确定本地区提高森林覆盖率的奋斗目标。

　　各级人民政府应当组织各行各业和城乡居民完成植树造林规划确定的任务。

　　宜林荒山荒地，属于国家所有的，由林业主管部门和其他主管部门组织造林；属于集体所有的，由集体经济组织组织造林。

　　铁路公路两旁、江河两侧、湖泊水库周围，由各有关主管单位因地制宜地组织造林；工矿区，机关、学校用地，部队营区以及农场、牧场、渔场经营地区，由各该单位负责造林。

　　State or collectively-owned barren mountains and wasteland suitable for forests may be contracted by collectives or individuals for afforestation。

　　第二十七条　国有企业事业单位、机关、团体、部队营造的林木，由营造单位经营并按照国家规定支配林木收益。

　　Trees cultivated by units under collective ownership shall be owned by such units。

　　The trees planted by rural residents in front of and behind their houses, on private land or on private hills shall be owned by them。Trees planted by urban residents and workers in the courtyards of their houses shall be owned by them。

　　集体或者个人承包国家所有和集体所有的宜林荒山荒地造林的，承包后种植的林木归承包的集体或者个人所有；承包合同另有规定的，按照承包合同的规定执行。

　　第二十八条　新造幼林地和其他必须封山育林的地方，由当地人民政府组织封山育林。

Chapter V Forest harvesting

　　第二十九条　国家根据用材林的消耗量低于生长量的原则，严格控制森林年采伐量。国家所有的森林和林木以国有林业企业事业单位、农场、厂矿为单位，集体所有的森林和林木、个人所有的林木以县为单位，制定年采伐限额，由省、自治区、直辖市林业主管部门汇总，经同级人民政府审核后，报国务院批准。

　　Article 30 The State shall formulate a unified annual wood production plan。The annual timber production plan shall not exceed the approved annual cutting limit。The scope of plan administration shall be prescribed by The State Council。

　　Article 31 The cutting of forests and trees must observe the following provisions:

　　（一）成熟的用材林应当根据不同情况，分别采取择伐、皆伐和渐伐方式，皆伐应当严格控制，并在采伐的当年或者次年内完成更新造林；

　　（二）防护林和特种用途林中的国防林、母树林、环境保护林、风景林，只准进行抚育和更新性质的采伐；

　　（三）特种用途林中的名胜古迹和革命纪念地的林木、自然保护区的森林，严禁采伐。

　　第三十二条　采伐林木必须申请采伐许可证，按许可证的规定进行采伐；农村居民采伐自留地和房前屋后个人所有的零星林木除外。

　　国有林业企业事业单位、机关、团体、部队、学校和其他国有企业事业单位采伐林木，由所在地县级以上林业主管部门依照有关规定审核发放采伐许可证。

　　铁路、公路的护路林和城镇林木的更新采伐，由有关主管部门依照有关规定审核发放采伐许可证。

　　农村集体经济组织采伐林木，由县级林业主管部门依照有关规定审核发放采伐许可证。

　　农村居民采伐自留山和个人承包集体的林木，由县级林业主管部门或者其委托的乡、镇人民政府依照有关规定审核发放采伐许可证。

　　The provisions of the above paragraphs shall apply to the cutting of bamboo forests whose main purpose is to produce bamboo。

　　第三十三条　审核发放采伐许可证的部门，不得超过批准的年采伐限额发放采伐许可证。

　　第三十四条　国有林业企业事业单位申请采伐许可证时，必须提出伐区调查设计文件。其他单位申请采伐许可证时，必须提出有关采伐的目的、地点、林种、林况、面积、蓄积、方式和更新措施等内容的文件。

　　对伐区作业不符合规定的单位，发放采伐许可证的部门有权收缴采伐许可证，中止其采伐，直到纠正为止。

　　第三十五条　采伐林木的单位或者个人，必须按照采伐许可证规定的面积、株数、树种、期限完成更新造林任务，更新造林的面积和株数不得少于采伐的面积和株数。

　　Article 36 Measures for the management, supervision and administration of timber in forest areas shall be formulated separately by The State Council。

　　第三十七条　从林区运出木材，必须持有林业主管部门发给的运输证件，国家统一调拨的木材除外。

　　依法取得采伐许可证后，按照许可证的规定采伐的木材，从林区运出时，林业主管部门应当发给运输证件。

　　经省、自治区、直辖市人民政府批准，可以在林区设立木材检查站，负责检查木材运输。对未取得运输证件或者物资主管部门发给的调拨通知书运输木材的，木材检查站有权制止。

　　Article 38 The State prohibits or restricts the export of precious trees and their products and derivatives。禁止、限制出口的珍贵树木及其制品、衍生物的名录和年度限制出口总量，由国务院林业主管部门会同国务院有关部门制定，报国务院批准。

　　出口前款规定限制出口的珍贵树木或者其制品、衍生物的，必须经出口人所在地省、自治区、直辖市人民政府林业主管部门审核，报国务院林业主管部门批准，海关凭国务院林业主管部门的批准文件放行。进出口的树木或者其制品、衍生物属于中国参加的国际公约限制进出口的濒危物种的，并必须向国家濒危物种进出口管理机构申请办理允许进出口证明书，海关并凭允许进出口证明书放行。

Chapter VI Legal liability

　　第三十九条　盗伐森林或者其他林木的，依法赔偿损失；由林业主管部门责令补种盗伐株数十倍的树木，没收盗伐的林木或者变卖所得，并处盗伐林木价值三倍以上十倍以下的罚款。

　　滥伐森林或者其他林木，由林业主管部门责令补种滥伐株数五倍的树木，并处滥伐林木价值二倍以上五倍以下的罚款。

　　拒不补种树木或者补种不符合国家有关规定的，由林业主管部门代为补种，所需费用由违法者支付。

　　Where illegal or indiscriminate logging of forests or other trees constitutes a crime, criminal responsibility shall be investigated according to law。

　　第四十条　违反本法规定，非法采伐、毁坏珍贵树木的，Criminal responsibility shall be investigated according to law。

　　Article 41 Violation of the provisions of this Law，超过批准的年采伐限额发放林木采伐许可证或者超越职权发放林木采伐许可证、木材运输证件、批准出口文件、允许进出口证明书的，The competent forestry department of the people's government at the next higher level shall order rectification，对直接负责的主管人员和其他直接责任人员依法给予行政处分；有关人民政府林业主管部门未予纠正的，The competent forestry department under The State Council may handle the matter directly;criminal，Criminal responsibility shall be investigated according to law。

　　Article 42 Violation of the provisions of this Law，买卖林木采伐许可证、木材运输证件、批准出口文件、允许进出口证明书的，The competent forestry departments shall confiscate the certificates, documents and illegal income from illegal trading，Shall also be fined not less than twice but not more than three times the price of the illegal trading of certificates and documents;criminal，Criminal responsibility shall be investigated according to law。

　　伪造林木采伐许可证、木材运输证件、批准出口文件、允许进出口证明书的，Criminal responsibility shall be investigated according to law。

　　Article 43 Those who illegally purchase trees in forest areas that they know are illegally or wantonly felled，The competent forestry authorities shall order the cessation of the illegal acts，The illegally felled or arbitrarily felled trees illegally purchased shall be confiscated or the proceeds from their sale shall be confiscated，A fine of not less than twice but not more than three times the price of illegally purchased trees may be imposed concurrently;criminal，Criminal responsibility shall be investigated according to law。

　　Article 44 Violation of the provisions of this Law，Carry out reclamation, quarrying, sand, soil, seed, fat and other activities，Causing the destruction of forests and trees，Compensate for losses according to law;The competent forestry authorities shall order the cessation of the illegal acts，Replant trees that have more than doubled and less than tripled the number of damaged trees，A fine of not less than twice but not more than five times the value of the trees destroyed may be imposed。

　　违反本法规定，在幼林地和特种用途林内砍柴、放牧Causing the destruction of forests and trees，Compensate for losses according to law;The competent forestry authorities shall order the cessation of the illegal acts，Replant trees that have more than doubled and less than tripled the number of damaged trees。

　　拒不补种树木或者补种不符合国家有关规定的，由林业主管部门代为补种，所需费用由违法者支付。

　　Article 45 The unit or individual cutting forest trees fails to complete the task of reforestation in accordance with the regulations，The department that issues the cutting license has the right to issue no more cutting licenses，Until the completion of the reforestation mission;serious，A fine may be imposed by the forestry authority，The person who is directly responsible shall be given administrative sanctions by the unit to which he belongs or by the competent authority at a higher level。

　　第四十六条　从事森林资源保护、林业监督管理工作的林业主管部门的工作人员和其他国家机关的有关工作人员滥用职权、玩忽职守、徇私舞弊，构成犯罪的，Criminal responsibility shall be investigated according to law；尚不构成犯罪的，依法给予行政处分。

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

　　第四十七条　国务院林业主管部门根据本法制定实施办法，报国务院批准施行。

　　第四十八条　民族自治地方不能全部适用本法规定的，自治机关可以根据本法的原则，结合民族自治地方的特点，制定变通或者补充规定，依照法定程序报省、自治区或者全国人民代表大会常务委员会批准施行。

　　Article 49 This Law shall enter into force as of January 1, 1985。