Forest and forest lands are very important to man. The existence of man, his needs and welfare are linked with the forest. Man cannot survive without the forest and its resources, not even the application of present day technology can provide a suitable or acceptable alternative to mankind. It therefore follows that the way and manners forest and it resources are managed and used Is important and crucial for good living and for continuous existence of man which means the existence of man Is being threatened without forest.
Forest policy has an important role to play In this regard especially on how forest resources can be used and manage for the good of all people on a continuous basis. In addition, forests and forest lands are being competed for by several sets of opposed interest. Forest policy Is an agreed philosophy for dealing with a set of problems. Policies are formulated to achieve goals and objectives. Goals means statement of purpose in a more general form while objectives means statement of purpose in a more specific form.
Cubbage et al(1993) define forest policy as a purposely cause of action or inaction, followed by an individual or group In dealing with a matter of concern regarding the use of forest resources. As such forest policy can be defined as a cause of action or method of action selected by government institution or group of individual from among alternatives and In the light of giving condition to guide and usually determine present and future decision. Forest policy deals with social and economic aspect of forest. In other word, a forest policy is a plan of action which Is intended to indicate what proportion of a country's land area should be dedicated to forestry, how the forest area should be developed and how the product of the forest should be utilize for public use. A policy maker must consider things like types of forest, forest soil, climatic condition, desirable species and their utilization possibilities, growth rate, pattern of wood consumption, export and import possibilities and available technology.
The objective of forest policy is therefore to harmonize several plan of a manager, silviculturist, measurationist, economist and utilization experts. Therefore policy maker has to do this within(between) the frame work of national economic objective so as to give the policy the highest degree of acceptability within the society for which It Is meant. Importance of forest policy are;
~ It profoundly influence the way private and individual can utilize forest resources
~ It influences the management, exploitation and regeneration of forest and forest land
~ An explicit forest policy aids decision making at the higher governmental levels.
~ Without forest policy, development In the forest sector will always be In a chaotic or zigzag manner.
~ It provides orientation for the choice and exclusion of government activities which affects private forest and forest
land.
~ Without clearly defined forest policy, there are bound to be negative effects on the government, it is difficult and
uncertain to know If there Is an appropraite agency exist and if they are carrying out adequate programme.
