Gorbachev A. N.
Legal regulation of the use of forests: experience of Equatorial Guinea
The article analyzes the legislation of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, which regulates forest use relations. For this purpose, the text of the Law on forest use and forest management, in which the legal mechanism of forest management as a whole is determined, is examined first of all. This law fixes the division of forest lands into a production area and the area of conservation or protection. Also, the subject of the study is the text of the Law on the Environment in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, which sets out, above all, the general requirements for the protection of forests as a component of the environment. This law also defines specific requirements for the use of forests, first, in order to conserve biological diversity, and secondly, for the protection of atmospheric air. The use of forests for the conservation of water bodies is regulated by the Law on Waters and Shores in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. This law defines the legal regime of the forest zone, which is designed to protect the land on which there are sources of drinking water supply. It establishes the requirements for the restoration of protective forests adjacent to the shoreline of water bodies. Also, the Law on Waters and Shores defines the features of forest management in coastal zones, within which afforestation and reforestation activities are classified as priority activities. It should be emphasized that the legislation of Equatorial Guinea on forest management is based on the principles of sustainable development.
Keywords: Republic of Equatorial Guinea, forest management, environment, sustainable development, biological diversity.

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