Forestry Law. Country/Territory Switzerland Territorial subdivision Solothurn Document type Legislation Date 1995 (2014) Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Forestry Keyword Basic legislation Forestry protection measures Land clearing Forest management/forest conservation Enforcement/compliance Geographical area Alps, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, North-East Atlantic, Western Europe Entry into force notes The present Law enters into force on 1 January 1996. Abstract The present Law lays down provisions on forests in the Canton of Solothurn. It is the basis for the implementation of federal laws and ordinances and for the implementation of the cantonal forestry, space, and environmental policy. Its aim is to conserve, promote and protect the forests, as well as to create a frame-work for a sustainable development of the forests. The cultivation of forests shall be carried out with a view to protect and to promote the forest as a living space, in particular for animals and plants. The owners of forests shall put into effect special measures to protect plant varieties and biotopes. Furthermore, to preserve forests they shall renounce in part or completely to wood cutting. In such a case the Canton can make compensation payments. The competent body entitled to authorize land clearing is the Cantonal Forest Office; it decides both on clearing applications and compensation payments. Limitations of access to forests are allowed only on of public interest grounds as, for example, for the protection of rare plants, wild living animals, etc. In case happenings taking place in or on the outskirt of forests may cause harmful effects an authorization is needed. Part C deals with care and use of forests. Forest planning includes forest development planning. Seeds and planting material to be used shall be of first quality and not manipulated. The text consists of 42 articles divided into 6 Parts as follows: General provisions (I); Protection of forests from unauthorized interventions (II); Care and use of forests (III); Promotion measures (IV); Organization and enforcement (V); Final provisions (VI). Full text German Website www.so.ch References - Legislation Implemented by Forest Ordinance. Legislation | Switzerland | 1995 (2008) Keyword: Forestry protection measures, Forest service/forest officers, Land clearing, Enforcement/compliance, Forest management/forest conservation Source: FAO, FAOLEX