Forest Law No. 1700

This law was written to bring forestry legislation up to standards with the international conventions that Bolivia has signed, including the ratification of the UNFCCC as well as the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought.The law updates the legal framework, shoring up the federal state's authority to regulate the forestry industry and economic land use. The objective listed in the law's text is to establish legal norms for the sustainable use and protection of national forests, harmonising social, economic and ecological interests for present and future generations.The law creates a Regimen of National Forests to be overseen by a national Forestry Superintendent, and a National Forest Development Fund; all of which are under the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Environment (now called the Ministry of Environment and Water).This is an early legislative action to combat desertification in Bolivia, mitigate the negative effects of GHG emissions through the conservation of tropical forests, and preserve the natural environment for future generations. While climate change was one driver for this law, explicit mention of climate change is marginal to the logic of conservation; and the Law of Mother Earth (listed above as the national flagship legislation) now occupies the main role in incorporating mitigation and adaptation strategies to forestry management.