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Website Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

The legal mandate and core business of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) are to manage, protect and conserve South Africa’s environment and natural resources. The mandate is informed by section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108… read more of 1996), which affords everyone the right to (a) an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and (b) to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures. To give effect to this constitutional environmental right and the need for sound environmental management and sustainable development, the DFFE has over a period of time developed a comprehensive environmental management legislative/regulatory framework. This regulatory framework comprises acts of parliament (environmental laws), regulations, policies, norms and standards, and other regulatory tools that are aimed at promoting sound environmental management practices in order to protect and conserve the environment for the benefit of current and future generations. In addition to the development, implementation and ongoing review of a progressive regulatory framework for sound environmental management, other critical environmental management interventions by the DFFE include raising awareness on key environment issues and promoting a culture of environmental activism among ordinary citizens, building capacity within the sector, and establishing and strengthening national, regional and global partnerships to address common environmental challenges. The long-term vision of the DFFE is to have “a prosperous and equitable society living in harmony with our natural resources”, as outlined in our medium-term strategic plan. To support the achievement of this vision, the DFFE has identified five strategic goals, as follows: Environmental economic contribution optimised; Environmental/Ecological integrity safeguarded and enhanced; Social transformation within our communities; Global agenda influenced and obligations met; and A capable and efficient department. The DFFE is structured into nine budget programmes. Each programme pursues a set of identified strategic outcomes, which are aimed at achieving the commitments of the DFFE to the five-year strategic plan and to ultimately make successive progress towards the realisation of the long-term vision of the DFFE.