Economic and financial aspects of leasing state forest land

The Government of South Africa has a major holding of forest land, with a total estate covering 892,000 ha of forest and associated land. Within the state's forest holding there is a wide diversity of forest and land types including: commercial plantations and other afforested land; indigenous forests; legally protected (indigenous) forest areas; and associated bare land. This land is partly owned by the state and partly held on behalf of local communities, some of whom also have existing rights to use the forest land for various purposes. The Government of South Africa is planning to withdraw from direct involvement in the forest sector and is currently considering options to involve the private-sector in the management of this resource.