The FSC National Forest Stewardship

Standard of the Federal Democratic Re-

public of Nepal

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 Forest Stewardship Council®

The FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard of the Federal

Title
Democratic Republic of Nepal
Document reference
FSC-STD-NPL-01-2018 V1-0 EN
code:
Status: Approved
Geographical Scope: National
Forest Scope All forest types and scales
Approval body Policy and Standards Committee
Submission date 30 November 2017

Approval date: 16 May 2018

Effectiveness date: 30 March 2020

Validity Period: Five years after the effectiveness date

Bhishma P. Subedi, Ph.D.
ANSAB Nepal
P.O.Box 11035, Kathmandu, Nepal
Country Contact:
Tel: (977-01)-4497547 / 4478412
Fax:(977-01)-4476586
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
FSC International Center
- Performance and Standards Unit -
FSC Performance and Adenauerallee 134
Standards Unit Con- 53113 Bonn, Germany
tact +49-(0)228-36766-0
+49-(0)228-36766-30
[email protected]

A.C. All rights reserved.

No part of this work covered by the publisher’s copyright may be reproduced or copied
in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy-
ing, recording, recording taping, or information retrieval systems) without the written
permission of the publisher.
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) is an independent, not for profit, non-govern-
ment organization established to support environmentally appropriate, socially benefi-
cial, and economically viable management of the world's forests.
FSC’s vision is that the world’s forests meet the social, ecological, and economic rights
and needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations.

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Table of contents
1. Preface .......................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Descriptive statement of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ........................................ 3
1.2. Descriptive statement of Standard Development Group ..................................................... 3
1.3 List of key consultants, experts and advisors who supported the process .......................... 4
2. Preamble ...................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1. Purpose of the standard .......................................................................................................... 5
2.2. Scope of the standard............................................................................................................... 6
2.3. Standard development process ............................................................................................... 6
2.4. Nepal’s forestry and relevance of this standard ................................................................... 7
3. Version of the standard .............................................................................................................. 9
4. Context ......................................................................................................................................... 9
5. References ................................................................................................................................. 10
6. Note on the interpretation of indicators.................................................................................. 11
7. Annexes ...................................................................................................................................... 11
8. Scale, intensity and risk (SIR).................................................................................................. 12
9. Principles, criteria and national indicators ............................................................................ 14
10. Annexes .................................................................................................................................... 64
Annex A: List of applicable laws, regulations and nationally-ratified international treaties,
conventions and agreements ........................................................................................................ 64
Annex B (1): Training requirements for workers ...................................................................... 72
Annex B (2): Personal protective equipment for workers ........................................................ 73
Annex C: Additional requirements for ecosystem services....................................................... 74
Annex D: Conservation area network* conceptual diagram.................................................... 80
Annex E: Elements of the management plan ............................................................................. 81
Annex F: Monitoring requirements ............................................................................................ 83
Annex G: Strategies for maintaining high conservation values ............................................... 86
Annex H: List of rare, threatened and endangered species in the country or region ............ 92
Annex J: Additional requirements for non-timber forest products (NTFPs) listed in Table 1
......................................................................................................................................................... 96
11. FSC Glossary of terms .......................................................................................................... 109

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1. Preface
1.1. Descriptive statement of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The Forest Stewardship Council A.C. (FSC) was established in 1993, as a follow-up to the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro, 1992)
with the mission to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically
viable management of the world’s forests.

Environmentally appropriate forest management ensures that the production of timber, non-timber
products and ecosystem services maintains the forest’s biodiversity, productivity, and ecological
processes. Socially beneficial forest management helps both local people and society at large to
enjoy long term benefits and also provides strong incentives to local people to sustain the forest
resources and adhere to long-term management plans. Economically viable forest management
means that forest operations are structured and managed so as to be sufficiently profitable, without
generating financial profit at the expense of the forest resource, the ecosystem, or affected commu-
nities. The tension between the need to generate adequate financial returns and the principles of
responsible forest operations can be reduced through efforts to market the full range of forest prod-
ucts and services for their best value (FSC A.C. By-Laws, ratified, September 1994; last revision
in June 2011).

FSC is an international organization that provides a system for voluntary accreditation and inde-
pendent third-party certification. This system allows certificate holders to market their products and
services as the result of environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable
forest management. FSC also sets standards for the development and approval of FSC Stewardship
Standards which are based on the FSC Principles and Criteria. In addition, FSC sets standards for
the accreditation of Conformity Assessment Bodies (also known as Certification Bodies) that cer-
tify compliance with FSC’s standards. Based on these standards, FSC provides a system for certi-
fication for organizations seeking to market their products as FSC certified.

1.2. Descriptive statement of Standard Development Group

The FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard Development Group of Nepal (hereafter referred
to as SDG) is an independent chamber-balanced multidisciplinary forum established exclusively
for the development of FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard for Nepal based on the FSC
Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship (FSC-STD-60-004 V1-0 EN). The SDG has been

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chaired and coordinated by Dr. Bhishma P. Subedi (Executive Director of ANSAB, bhishmasub-
[email protected]) in close collaboration with Mr. Jörn Struwe (FSC Regional Office Asia Pacific,
[email protected]) and Mr. Gordian Fanso (FSC International, Performance and Standards Unit).
The SDG members and their contacts by the three chambers are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: SDG Members

Name of the member Organization Email address

Social chamber
Ms. Apsara Chapagain Federation of Community For- [email protected]
estry Users, Nepal
Mr. Bhola Bhattarai National Forum for Advocacy [email protected]
Nepal
Mr. Bishnu Hari Poudyal RECOFTC- The Centre for [email protected]
People and Forests
Economic chamber
Mr. Bishnu P. Sharma Tribhuvan University [email protected]
Mr. Khilendra Gurung Himalayan Bio-Trade [email protected]
Mr. Kapil P. Adhikari Federation of Forest Based In- [email protected]
dustry and Trade (FenFIT)
Environmental chamber
Dr. Sindhu P. Dhungana Nepal Foresters’ Association [email protected]
Mr. Santosh Mani Nepal WWF Nepal [email protected]
Mr. Shambhu Charmakar ANSAB [email protected]

1.3 List of key consultants, experts and advisors who supported the process
The SDG Nepal acknowledges contribution of all the individuals involved during the NFSS devel-
opment process. The SDG is grateful to Dr. Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary, Ministry of Forests and
Environment for his regular advice and invaluable support for creating enabling environment for
NFSS development process. Similarly, special thanks go to Dr. Pem N. Kandel, Joint Secretary of
Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MFSC), Mr. Resham B. Dangi, Former Joint Secretary
of MFSC, Dr. Maheshwor Dhakal, Joint Secretary of MFSC, Mr. Dhirendra Pradhan, Joint Secre-
tary of MFSC, Mr. Phadindra P. Pokhrel, Under Secretary of MFSC, Mr. Shekhar Kumar Yadav,
Former chairperson of Nepal Foresters’ Association (NFA), Mr. Ganesh Karki, Chairperson of
FECOFUN, Mr. Govinda Gajurel, Member Secretary of NTNC, and Mr. Puspa L. Ghimire, Pro-
grams Director of ANSAB for their advisory support and valuable suggestions before and during

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the NFSS development process. Consultative forums members provided expert input and feedbacks
during the course of NFSS development process.

The SDG is also grateful to Mr. Sudarshan C. Khanal (ANSAB), Mr. Kiran Baram (Nepal Federa-
tion of Indigenous Nationalities-NEFIN), Dr. Kalyan Gauli, Mr. Nabaraj Dahal, Mr. Ram P.
Acharya, Dr. Manish R. Pandey (NTNC), Mr. Bishnu P. Acharya (NFA), Dr. Shambhu P. Dangal
(RECOFTC), Mr. Ananta Bhandari (WWF Nepal), Mr. Arun Sharma Poudel (Kathmandu Forestry
College), Mr. Bhola Khatiwada (FECOFUN), and Mr. Tunga Bhadra Rai (NEFIN) for their tech-
nical inputs in NFSS development process. Mr. Sudarshan C. Khanal also worked with the SDG
while incorporating feedbacks from FSC PSU in NFSS. The SDG also thanks Mr. Govinda Poudel
for drafting the NFSS; Dr. Nabin R. Joshi for his support on drafting NFSS; and Mr. Shambhu
Charmakar for his hard work to prepare drafts of the NFSS, incorporate feedbacks from FSC PSU
in the NFSS, and facilitating overall NFSS development process.

2. Preamble
2.1. Purpose of the standard
This standard sets out the required elements against which FSC accredited Certification Bodies
shall evaluate forest management practices within the scope (see Section 2.2.) of the standard. The
FSC Principles and Criteria (P&C) for Forest Stewardship provides an internationally recognized
standard for responsible forest management. However, any international standard for forest man-
agement needs to be adapted at the regional or national level in order to reflect the diverse legal,
social and geographical conditions of forests in different parts of the world. The FSC P&C therefore
require the addition of indicators that are adapted to regional or national conditions in order to be
implemented at the Forest Management Unit (FMU) level.

With the approval of FSC-STD-60-004 V1-0 EN (FSC International Generic Indicators- IGI) by
the FSC Board of Directors in March 2015, the adaptation of the P&C to regional or national con-
ditions is done using the IGI standard as the starting point. This has the advantage to:
• Ensure the consistent implementation of the P&C across the globe;
• Improve and strengthen the credibility of the FSC System;
• Improve the consistency and quality of National Forest Stewardship Standards; and
• Support a faster and more efficient approval process of National Forest Stewardship Stand-
ards.

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The FSC Principles and Criteria together with a set of national indicators approved by FSC Policy
and Standards Committee (PSC) constitute an FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard (NFSS).

The development of NFSS follows the requirements set out in FSC-PRO-60-006 V2-0 EN (Devel-
opment and Transfer of National Forest Stewardship Standards to the FSC Principles and Criteria
Version 5-1), FSC-STD-60-002 (V1-0) EN (Structure and Content of National Forest Stewardship
Standards),and FSC-STD-60-006 (V1-2) EN (Process requirements for the development and
maintenance of National Forest Stewardship Standards) to improve consistency and transparency
in certification decisions between different Certification Bodies in Nepal and in different parts of
the world, and thereby to enhance the credibility of the FSC certification scheme as a whole.

2.2. Scope of the standard

This standard is applicable to all forest operations seeking FSC certification within Nepal. The
standard applies to all forest types including natural and plantation forests, all forest management
regimes, and geographic areas (national and sub-national level) of Nepal. Similarly, this standard
will cover timber, non-timber forest products and ecosystem services (forest carbon sequestration,
biodiversity conservation, hydrological services, soil conservation and recreational services) in its
certification scope. This standard has included additional indicators for ecosystem services in An-
nex C and for non-timber forest products in Annex J. Organizations that wish to certify ecosystem
services and non-timber forest products shall meet the requirements of not only Annex C and Annex
J respectively, but the entire NFSS (with all Principles, Criteria, Indicators and annexes).

If special guidance or applicability notes are developed to help auditors, forest managers or others
in using this standard, these guidance or applicability notes shall not be normative.

2.3. Standard development process

The NFSS development process in Nepal was facilitated by ANSAB with financial support from
the Forest Certification for Ecosystem Services (ForCES) project, Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC), and WWF Nepal. The formal NFSS development process began in 2013. It built on the
knowledge and experience from the previous FSC certification work of ANSAB since 2002, the
interim certification standards developed by the certification body (Rainforest Alliance/Smart
Wood), and FSC ad-hoc (interim) national working group formed in 2005. ANSAB developed
NFSS development strategy and proposal and registered the process at Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC) Performance and Standards Unit (PSU) to initiate the process.

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Based on the criteria given in FSC-STD-60-006 (V1-2) EN (Clause 4.3), a national multi-stake-
holders workshop selected SDG of nine members representing three members each from social,
economic and environmental chambers, on September 13, 2015. The SDG formed a consultative
forum of 33 stakeholders and selected the SDG chair on November 3, 2015; developed the SDG
proposal for NFSS development in Nepal and submitted to FSC PSU on December 2015; and the
SDG was formally registered by the FSC Performance and Standards Unit on January 22, 2016.

SDG produced and released the following drafts of the standard on the respective dates:
• NFSS draft 1.0 published on April 12, 2016
• NFSS draft 2.0 published on July 18, 2016
• NFSS field tested draft on March 4, 2017
• NFSS pre-approval draft 3.0 on November 29, 2017

Several meetings and consultations were conducted to produce the drafts. SDG members conducted
eight face-to-face SDG meetings (dated on November 3, 2015, December 17, 2015, February 21-
22, 2016, July 18, 2016, October 6, 2016, May 22, 2017, May 28-29, 2017, and November 29,
2017) and three face-to-face chamber wise meetings during the preparation of the draft 1.0. Discus-
sions and sharing of draft were also made via emails, telephone meetings and circulations of hard-
copies. The first draft was made publicly available for 60 days during April to June of 2016. The
NFSS draft 2.0 was prepared compiling inputs and suggestions received during the public consul-
tation period, and were field tested in September 2016 in different forests in two different geograph-
ical regions. This included small scale and large scale forests in mountain and large scale forests in
plain land (tropical region). Based on the inputs from field testing, the SDG produced NFSS field
tested draft and released for 60 day public consultation on March 4, 2017. In addition, two national
stakeholders’ consultation workshops were organized on July 19, 2016 and May 24, 2017 to receive
direct inputs of the stakeholders on first draft and field tested draft respectively.

2.4. Nepal’s forestry and relevance of this standard

Forest and other wooded land together represent 44.74% of the total area of Nepal which host a
wide diversity of plant and animal species as a result of climatic and topographic variation, and
provide a basis for producing a range of products and services including climate regulation, carbon
sequestration, recreational services, nutrient cycling, and hydrological services. Based on the land
tenure arrangement, forest of Nepal is classified into national forests and private forests. Majority

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of the forests in Nepal are national forests. The national forests have been categorized into govern-
ment managed forest, protected area system, and various types of community-managed forests,
namely - community forest, collaborative forests, leasehold forest, religious forest and buffer zone
community forest. The forest area covered under different management regimes are presented in
Table 2.

Table 2: Forest area managed under various management regimes

Management Manage- Area Area Managed by Source
regimes ment Units (ha) (%)
Government man- -- 3,006,298 50.42 Department of Forest DFRS
aged forests (DoF) 2015
Forest within pro- 20 1,030,000 17.28 Department of Na- DFRS
tected area tional Parks and 2015
Wildlife Conserva-
tion (DNPWC)
Community forests 19,361 1,813,478 30.42 Community Forest DoF 2017
User Groups
(CFUGs)
Leasehold forests 6,712 38,997 0.65 Leasehold Forest DoF 2014
User Groups
(LHFUGs)
Collaborative forests 29 70,423 1.18 Collaborative Forest DoF 2014
Management (CFM)
Groups
Religious forests -- 543 0.01 Religious Groups DoF 2014
Private forests 2,458 2,361 0.04 Private Individuals DoF 2014
Total 5,962,100 100

The human induced threats such as over grazing, forest fire, uncontrolled harvesting (over harvest-
ing, and inappropriate timing and methods of harvest), illegal logging, poaching, and invasion by
alien species and weak governance including enforcement of laws have been adding pressures on
biodiversity, other ecosystem services, and dependent livelihoods. The NFSS provides the country
specific practical criteria, indicators and verifiers that help enhance sustainable forest management
practices and record keeping system; improve good governance including equitable benefit sharing
mechanism; and increase access to market for ecosystem goods and services at national and inter-
national level.

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3. Version of the standard

FSC-STD-NPL-01-2018 V1-0

4. Context
Nepal has over one and a half decade of policy discourse and a decade of practice on sustainable
forest management certification. A notable effort was initiated in early 2000s with the formation of
a private-public alliance for the promotion of certification and sustainable marketing of Nepali non-
timber forest products (NTFPs) that gave national recognition of forest certification among the key
stakeholders. Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and
coordinated by ANSAB, the alliance included representation from the Nepali government; Nepali
non-governmental organizations (NGOs); national and international level private companies active
in the herbal products industry; an FSC forest certification organization - Rainforest Alliance/Smart
Wood; community forestry user groups, represented by the Federation of Community Forestry Us-
ers, Nepal; and donors, including USAID, Ford Foundation, the Netherlands Development Organ-
ization (SNV), and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Through series of intensive stakeholders consultation process, Rainforest Alliance/Smart Wood de-
veloped the interim FSC sustainable forest management certification standard in 2003, using the
generic FSC Principles and Criteria (P&C V4). The initial Nepali FSC certifications were focused
on NTFPs, and timber standards were incorporated in 2005, to produce a comprehensive set of
certification standards, which then included both timber and NTFPs.

A FSC ad-hoc (interim) national working group in Nepal was formed in 2005 in close collaboration
with the alliance to draft national standards on sustainable forest management and forest certifica-
tion. The Nepal Foresters’ Association (NFA) hosted the working group and the national standard
development process. The group initiated the standards drafting process, however was not able to
produce final document within the timeframe. The interim certification standard developed by the
Rainforest Alliance/Smart Wood has remained as the key document for awarding FSC forest man-
agement certification in Nepal.

Across the globe, Forest Stewardship Standards now need to be transferred to the FSC Principles
and Criteria Version 5 (P&C V5) which were approved in February 2012, using the International
Generic Indicators (IGIs) to ensure their consistent application across the globe. The IGIs incorpo-
rate wide range of ecosystem services which were not adequately covered under the sustainable

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forest management certification before. Their use will ensure that all the requirements and technical
specifications leading to an improved quality of the National Standards, are met.

Thus, based on IGIs and taking the experience and lessons of the previous works in Nepal, ANSAB
set up a national standards development group (SDG) in September 2015, with balanced represen-
tation of social, economic and environmental expertise (Table 1) to develop FSC NFSS for Nepal
which also includes ecosystem services in its certification scope.

5. References
The following FSC reference documents are relevant for the application of this standard. For refer-
ences without a version number, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.

FSC-POL-01-004 Policy for the Association of Organizations with FSC

FSC-POL-20-003 The Excision of Areas from the Scope of Certification
FSC-POL-30-001 FSC Pesticides Policy
FSC-POL-30-401 FSC Certification and the ILO Conventions
FSC-POL-30-602 FSC Interpretation on GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)
FSC-STD-01-002 Glossary of Terms
FSC-STD-01-003 SLIMF Eligibility Criteria
FSC-STD-20-007 Forest Management Evaluations
FSC-STD-30-005 FSC Standard for Group Entities in Forest Management Groups
FSC-STD-60-002 Structure and Content of National Forest Stewardship Standards
FSC-STD-60-006 Development of National Forest Stewardship Standards
FSC-PRO-01-001 The Development and Revision of FSC Normative Documents
FSC-PRO-01-005 Processing Appeals
FSC-PRO-01-008 Processing Complaints in the FSC Certification Scheme
FSC-PRO-01-009 Processing Policy for Association Complaints in the FSC Certi-
fication Scheme
FSC-DIR-20-007 FSC Directive on Forest Management Evaluations

FSC-GUI-60-005 Promoting Gender Equality in National Forest Stewardship

Standards

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6. Note on the interpretation of indicators

The standard has been structured according to the FSC hierarchy of principles, criteria and indica-
tors, and FSC guiding document for developing the national standard and arrangement of the struc-
ture, content, and numbering of the hierarchical level of FSC Principles and Criteria. The wording
and numbering of each of FSC Principle and Criterion has been used as they occur in the current
version of FSC-STD-01-001 FSC Principles and Criteria of Forest Stewardship. Each criterion has
number of indicators which are simply numbered (e.g. Indicator 1.1.1).

The SDG has specified means of verification for each of the indicators. Such verifiers have been
separated by comma and not numbered individually. Some of the indicators are complemented by
specific note(s) to clarify the intent and requirements of the indicator(s) in Nepalese context. This
standard has two types of notes: i) Notes: these apply for all organizations unless specific thresholds
are given that limits their applicability, ii) Notes for SLIMF: these notes apply whenever an organ-
ization is within the size threshold specified for small (≤500 ha) and/or low intensity management
organizations.

7. Annexes
The standard includes the following annexes:
Annex A: List of applicable laws, regulations and nationally-ratified international treaties, conven-
tions and agreements
Annex B (1) Training requirements for workers
Annex B (2): Personal protective equipment for workers
Annex C: Additional requirements for Ecosystem Services (ES)
Annex D: Conservation Area Network conceptual diagram
Annex E: Elements of the management plan
Annex F: Monitoring requirements
Annex G: Strategies for maintaining High Conservation Values (HCV)
Annex H: List of rare and threatened species in the country or region
Annex I: Guidance documents for small organizations

At the end of the standard, FSC Glossary of Terms has been included. The glossary also includes
the definitions of terms such as small-scale, low intensity, community or plantation forest manage-
ment units. The standard may be translated in Nepali language, however, the English version shall
be considered original and definitive in case of any disputes.

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8. Scale, intensity and risk (SIR)

The FSC Principles and Criteria V5 introduced Scale, Intensity and Risk (SIR) concept into the
FSC system. It applies all through the standard but is explicitly mentioned in Principles 7 & 8 and
in the following Criteria: 1.7, 2.3, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.6, 8.5,
9.1, 9.3, 9.4, and 10.9.

The three factors ‘Scale, Intensity and Risk’ determine the likelihood that a management activity
might have a negative impact on social, environmental or economic values associated with the
management unit or The Organization*.

In Nepal, community based forest management organizations, especially community forests, buffer
zone community forests, and conservation community forests are low intensity managed forests.
Nepal’s community forestry is recognized as one of the eight successful sustainable development
examples by Rio+20 and one of the eight success stories at global level listed by UNEP, contrib-
uting to green economy. This has been equipped with rich policies and guidelines. To
date, 19,361 Community Forestry User Groups (CFUGs) are managing 1.81 million ha forest area
(DoF 2017). Of these, 70% of CFUGs are managing forests of less than 100 ha, 28.17% CFUGs
are managing forest of 100 ha to 500 ha, and 1.84% CFUGs are managing the forests of more than
500 ha (DoF 2016). Likewise, community forest guideline allows CFUGs to harvest forest products
up to 40% - 75% of mean annual increment (MAI) depending on forest condition, however most of
the community forests have provision and practices of extracting not more than 40% of MAI adopt-
ing appropriate silvicultural operation. Moreover, most of the community forests are natural forests
in Nepal and they are collectively managed with essence of fulfilling the basic forest products need
of their members.

Likewise, buffer zone community forests and conservation community forests under protected area
system are community managed and conservation oriented management models for fulfilling basic
forest products needs of their members and deliver valuable ecosystem services, for instance recre-
ational services and biodiversity conservation.

Thus, community based forest management organizations (especially community forests, buffer
zone community forests, and conservation community forests) in Nepal have a low likelihood of
negative impacts on social, economic and environmental values. Additionally, requirements related
to documentation or establishment of written procedures impose comparatively high administrative

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burdens for the small and low intensity managed forests (SLIMF) and as such might exclude them
from the benefits of FSC certification.

For commercial operation, the concept of scale and intensity applies as given below. The risk of
negative impacts is a function of scale, intensity and context, following the underlying assumption
that management activities applied on a small scale and with low intensity, usually have a low risk
of causing negative impacts. The table below provides thresholds for SLIMF. Forest management
units not meeting these thresholds are automatically classified as non-SLIMF (i.e. medium or large-
scale and/or medium or high-intensity managed units). The requirements of this standard apply to
all management units (regardless their size and intensity of management), unless a special note is
provided for SLIMF (see Section 6 above).

Scale Threshold (area of Management Units)

Small scale ≤ 500 ha
Intensity Threshold (management activities)
Low intensity Forest management unit is classed as low-intensity when
• the rate of harvesting is less than 20% of the mean annual incre-
ment (MAI) within the total production forest area of the unit,
however in case of community based forest management organi-
zations, harvesting up to 40% is considered as low intensity op-
eration; AND
• management activities do not include application of chemicals or
biological agents; AND
• management activities do not include clear cutting where more
than 50% of wood stock in the sub compartment is harvested;
AND
• EITHER the annual harvest from the total production forest area
is less than 5,000 cubic metres;
• OR the average annual harvest from the total production forest is
less than 5,000 m3 / year during the period of validity of the FSC
certificate as verified by harvest reports and surveillance audits.

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9. Principles, criteria and national indicators

PRINCIPLE 1: COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
The Organization shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations and nationally-ratified inter-
national treaties, conventions and agreements.
Criterion 1.1. The Organization shall be a legally defined entity with clear, documented and
unchallenged legal registration, with written authorization from the legally competent authority
for specific activities. (new)
Indicator 1.1.1. Legal registration* to carry out all activities within the scope of the certificate is
documented and unchallenged.
Verifiers: Certificate of registration, forest management plan
Indicator 1.1.2. Legal registration* is granted by a legally competent* authority according to
legally prescribed processes.
Verifiers: Certificate of registration, approved forest management plan from competent legal au-
thority of Nepal.
Note: Presently provisions for registration are mainly defined in Forest Act (1993) and its amend-
ments and Regulations (1995), National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (1973) and Regu-
lations (1974), Buffer-zone Regulation (1996) and Conservation Area Management Rules
(1996).
Criterion 1.2. The Organization shall demonstrate that the legal status of the Management Unit,
including tenure and use rights, and its boundaries, are clearly defined. (C2.1 P&C V4)
Indicator 1.2.1. Legal* tenure* to manage and use resources within the scope of the certificate is
documented.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, certificate of handover, lease contract.
Note: Document(s) are necessary that clearly include plan for the management of forests, for
example operational plan in case of community forestry.
Indicator 1.2.2. Legal* tenure* is granted by a legally competent* authority according to legally
prescribed processes.
Verifiers: Certificate of registration, lease contract, approved forest management plan from com-
petent legal authority of Nepal.

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Note: Legally competent authority is defined in Forest Act (1993) and Forest Regulation (1995),
National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act (1973), National Park and Wildlife Conservation
Regulation (1974).
Indicator 1.2.3. The boundaries of all Management Units* within the scope of the certificate are
clearly marked or documented and clearly shown on maps.
Verifiers: Certificate of registration, forest management plan, forest boundary map, interview
with organization executives, onsite observation.
Note: Maps can be a part of management plan or presented separately.
Criterion 1.3.The Organization shall have legal rights to operate in the Management Unit, which
fit the legal status of The Organization and of the Management Unit, and shall comply with the
associated legal obligations in applicable national and local laws and regulations and administra-
tive requirements. The legal rights shall provide for harvest of products and/or supply of ecosys-
tem services from within the Management Unit. The Organization shall pay the legally prescribed
charges associated with such rights and obligations. (C1.1, 1.2, 1.3 P&C V4)
Indicator 1.3.1. All activities undertaken in the Management Unit* are carried out in compliance
with:
1) Applicable laws* and regulations and administrative requirements,
2) Legal* and customary rights*; and
3) Obligatory codes of practice*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, interview with organization executives, onsite observation.
Note: See Annex A for list of applicable laws *, regulations and nationally-ratified* international
treaties, conventions and agreements.
Indicator 1.3.2. Payment is made in a timely manner* of all applicable legally prescribed charges
connected with forest* management.
Verifiers: Record of payment of royalties, taxes and fees.
Indicator 1.3.3. Activities covered by the management plan* are designed to comply with all
applicable laws*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan (compliant with existing laws and approved by competent
authority), interview with stakeholders, onsite observation.
Criterion 1.4. The Organization shall develop and implement measures, and/or shall engage with
regulatory agencies, to systematically protect the Management Unit from unauthorized or illegal
resource use, settlement and other illegal activities. (C1.5 P&C V4)

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Indicator 1.4.1. Measures are implemented to provide protection* from unauthorized or illegal
harvesting, hunting, fishing, trapping, collecting, settlement and other unauthorized activities.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, records of measures implemented, onsite
observation, interviews with organization’s executives.
Indicator 1.4.2. Where protection* is the legal* responsibility of regulatory bodies, a system is
implemented to work with these regulatory bodies to identify, report, control and discourage
unauthorized or illegal activities.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, interviews with organization‘s executives,
records of collaborative activities.
Indicator 1.4.3. If illegal or unauthorized activities are detected, measures are implemented to
address them.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, records of implemented measures, interview with stakeholders.
Criterion 1.5. The Organization shall comply with the applicable national laws, local laws, rati-
fied international conventions and obligatory codes of practice, relating to the transportation and
trade of forest products within and from the Management Unit, and/or up to the point of first sale.
(C1.3 P&C V4)
Indicator 1.5.1. Compliance with applicable national laws*, local laws*, ratified* international
conventions and obligatory codes of practice* relating to the transportation and trade of forest
products up to the point of first sale is demonstrated.
Verifiers: Annual allowable harvest amount in management plan, harvesting and sales permits,
release order, receipts of payment of taxes and royalties where applicable, sales transaction rec-
ord, interviews with stakeholders.
Indicator 1.5.2. Compliance with CITES provisions is demonstrated, including through posses-
sion of certificates for harvest and trade in any CITES species.
Verifiers: Provisions related to CITES listed species in management plan, interviews with stake-
holders, trade and export permits for CITES species from scientific authority (Department of
Plant Resources, Natural History Museum) and management authority (Department of Forests,
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation), receipts of payment of taxes and roy-
alties.
Note: The Organization should obtain harvesting permits for CITES species from Department of
Forests and Export Permit from Department of Plant Resource and Natural History Museum.

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Criterion 1.6. The Organization shall identify, prevent and resolve disputes over issues of stat-
utory or customary law, which can be settled out of court in a timely manner, through engagement
with affected stakeholders. (C2.3 P&C V4)
Indicator 1.6.1. A publically available* dispute* resolution process is in place; developed
through culturally appropriate* engagement* with affected stakeholders*.
Verifiers: Constitution, forest management plan, meeting minutes and decisions, public notice,
interview with affected individuals if applicable.
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations may follow the locally accepted practices including oral
and customary norms to resolve the disputes.
Indicator 1.6.2. Disputes* related to issues of applicable laws* or customary law* that can be
settled out of court are responded to in a timely manner*, and are either resolved or are in the
dispute* resolution process.
Verifiers: Records (registration and dispatch of letters), meeting minutes and decisions, agree-
ment paper made between The Organization* and affected, interview with stakeholders.
Indicator 1.6.3. Up to date records of disputes related to issues of applicable laws* or customary
law, are held including:
1) Steps taken to resolve disputes*;
2) Outcomes of all dispute* resolution processes; and
3) Unresolved disputes*, the reasons they are not resolved, and how they will be resolved.
Verifiers: Record of disputes including the explanation of reasons/difficulties of unresolved is-
sues, interview with organization executives.
Indicator 1.6.4. Operations cease in areas where disputes* exist:
1) substantial magnitude* (equal or greater than 100 ha or 10% of the forest management unit,
whichever is smaller); or
2) Substantial duration*(6 months or more); or
3) Involving a significant* number of interests (5% of members of The Organization*, or three
or more interest groups).
Verifiers: Record of complains, record of disputes, meeting minutes and decisions, interview
with affected individuals if applicable
Criterion 1.7. The Organization shall publicize a commitment not to offer or receive bribes in
money or any other form of corruption, and shall comply with anti-corruption legislation where
this exists. In the absence of anti-corruption legislation, The Organization shall implement other

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anti-corruption measures proportionate to the scale and intensity of management activities and
the risk of corruption. (new)
Indicator 1.7.1. A policy is implemented that includes a commitment not to offer or receive bribes
of any description.
Verifiers: Anti-corruption policy provisions in an organization’s approved documents, meeting
minutes and decisions, record of public hearing, interview with workers, interview with stake-
holders.
Note: The Organization’s* approved document can be constitution, forest management plan, or
separate stand-alone anti-corruption policy document
Indicator 1.7.2. The policy meets or exceeds related legislation.
Verifiers: Organization’s approved document, interview with organization’s executives.
Note: The anti-corruption policies of Nepal include the Prevention of Corruption Act (2002),
Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Act (2002), Anti-corruption
Strategy and Work Plan (2008) etc.
Indicator 1.7.3. The policy is publicly available* at no cost.
Verifiers: Evidence of public availability e.g., public notice, meeting minutes and decisions, in-
terview with organization‘s executives, interview with stakeholders.
Indicator 1.7.4. Bribery, coercion and other acts of corruption do not occur.
Verifiers: Decisions of punishment or rewards, monitoring report, interview with organization’s
executives
Indicator 1.7.5. Corrective measures are implemented if corruption does occur.
Verifiers: Record of punishment, record of awards, interview with stakeholders.
Criterion 1.8. The Organization shall demonstrate a long-term commitment to adhere to the FSC
Principles and Criteria in the Management Unit, and to related FSC Policies and Standards. A
statement of this commitment shall be contained in a publicly available document made freely
available. (C1.6 P&C V4)
Indicator 1.8.1. A written policy, endorsed by an individual with authority to implement the pol-
icy, includes a long-term* commitment to forest* management practices consistent with FSC
Principles* and Criteria* and related Policies and Standards.
Verifiers: Constitution, forest management plan.
Indicator 1.8.2. The policy is publicly available* at no cost.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, citizen charter.

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Go to Annex A.

PRINCIPLE 2: WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

The Organization shall maintain or enhance the social and economic wellbeing of workers*.
(new)
Criterion 2.1. The Organization shall uphold the principles and rights at work as defined in the
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998) based on the eight ILO
Core Labor Conventions. (C4.3 P&C V4)
Indicator 2.1.1. Employment practices and conditions for workers* demonstrate conformity with
or uphold* the principles and rights of work addressed in the eight ILO Core Labor Conventions
as defined in ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998), relevant
acts and bylaws of the country including Labor Act (2017) and its amendments to protect worker’s
rights.
Verifiers: Employment contract, meeting minutes, interview with workers.
Note: Children, on their will, may choose to engage into collection and sale of forest products
(such as non-timber forest products) to support their family livelihoods or for themselves to cover
their educational and associated costs. However, involving children as workers for commercial
operation including involvement in business entity (firms, industries etc.) shall be considered as
forced child labor and treated as a serious offence.
Indicator 2.1.2. Workers* are able to establish or join Labor organizations of their own choosing
subject only to the rules of the Labor organization concerned as provided by Nepal’s Labor Act
(2017) and Trade Union Act (1992) and their amendments.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, membership of labor organization, interview with workers,
interview with workers’ union.
Indicator 2.1.3. Agreements are implemented resulting from collective bargaining with formal
and informal workers organizations*.
Verifiers: Agreement, salary sheet, payment receipts, interview with workers.
Criterion 2.2. The Organization shall promote gender equality in employment practices, training
opportunities, awarding of contracts, processes of engagement and management activities. (new)
Indicator 2.2.1. Systems are implemented that promote gender equality* and non-discrimination
based on gender, religion, caste, class, political identity or ethnicity in employment practices,
training opportunities, awarding of contracts, processes of engagement* and management activi-
ties.

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Verifiers: Non-discriminatory policy provisions in organizational documents e.g. constitution

and/or forest management plan, meeting minutes and decisions, interview with workers, interview
with stakeholders.
Indicator 2.2.2 Job opportunities are open to both women and men under the same conditions,
and women are encouraged to participate actively in all levels of employment.
Verifiers: Vacancy notice, organizational policy documents, interview with stakeholders
Indicator 2.2.3 Work typically carried out by women (nurseries, silviculture, non-timber forest
product harvesting, weighing, packing, etc.) is included in training and health & safety programs
to the same extent as work typically carried out by men.
Verifiers: Training plan, training records, interview with workers
Indicator 2.2.4 Women and men are paid the same wage when they do the same work.
Verifiers: Interview with workers, receipt of payment/salary sheets
Indicator 2.2.5 Women are paid directly and using mutually agreed methods (e.g. direct bank
transfer, direct payments for school fees, etc.) to ensure they safely receive and retain their wages.
Verifiers: Appointment letter, agreement, receipt of payment, interview with workers
Indicator 2.2.6 Maternity leave complies with Labor Act (2017) and Civil Servant Act (1993) and
their amendments, which may start before the childbirth, however ensures no less than a six-week
period after child birth.
Verifiers: Provisions in organization’s policy documents, job contracts, leave approval, receipt of
payment, interview with workers, interview with organization’s executives
Indicator 2.2.7 Paternity leave is available based on Labor Act (2017) and Civil Servant Act
(1993) and its amendments and there is no penalty for taking it.
Verifiers: Provisions in organization’s documents, leave approval, receipt of payment, interview
with workers
Note: Paternity leave provisions of 15 days in Labor Act (2017) and Civil Servant Act (1993) and
their amendments comply with FSC requirements which may start before the child birth.
Indicator 2.2.8 Meetings, management committees and decision-making forums are organized to
include women and men, and to facilitate the active participation of both.
Verifiers: Composition of decision making body (e.g. executive committee), meeting minutes
Indicator 2.2.9 Confidential and effective mechanisms exist for reporting and eliminating cases
of sexual harassment and discrimination based on gender, marital status, parenthood or sexual
orientation.

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Verifiers: Organizational policy document, meeting minutes and decisions, interviews with work-
ers
Note: The Organization* conducts training or range of awareness sessions to inform staff about
existence of legal policy (e.g., juvenile court, closed hearing, policies relating to sexual harass-
ment in workplace) and the provisions therein.
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations may include a commitment against sexual harassment in
the management plan and establish a focal point to deal with such cases in confidential way and
get contact with the justice committee of rural/municipality.
Criterion 2.3.The Organization shall implement health and safety practices to protect workers
from occupational safety and health hazards. These practices shall, proportionate to scale, inten-
sity and risk of management activities, meet or exceed the recommendations of the ILO Code of
Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work. (C4.2 P&C V4)
Indicator 2.3.1 Health and safety practices are developed and implemented that meet or exceed
the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work.
Verifiers: Health and safety provision in organization’s policy documents, onsite observation of
health and safety equipment, records of health and safety training, records of health care services
to workers, interview with workers
Note for SLIMF: In absence of the organizational policy document, the health and safety require-
ments for the forest work and practices are known to the workers and commensurate with the
nature of the job.
Indicator 2.3.2 Workers* have personal protective equipment appropriate to their assigned tasks.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes and decisions, inventory of safety equipment such as masks, helmets,
spectacles, globes or safety boots, bills or receipts of purchasing safety equipment, interview with
workers
Note for SLIMF: The equipment given in Annex B-2 can be substituted by appropriate locally
available materials which fulfil the specific safety requirement. Appropriate locally available ma-
terials may differ based on geography and socio-economic conditions, but fulfil the specific safety
requirement.
Indicator 2.3.3 Use of personal protective equipment is enforced.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes and decisions, onsite observation, records of occupational health and
safety training, interview with workers

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Indicator 2.3.4 Records are kept on health and safety practices including accident rates and lost
time to accidents.
Verifiers: Record of accidents, leave records meeting minutes, interview with workers
Indicator: 2.3.5 The frequency and severity of accidents are consistently low compared to national
forest* industry averages.
Verifiers: Records of accidents, interview with stakeholders
Note: Currently, there is no official statistics on sector-wise frequency and severity of accidents,
including the forest industry sector in Nepal. Until the official statistics is available, the frequency
and severity of accidents occurred at The Organization* level in the last year and/or during the
past five years can be used.
Indicator 2.3.6 The health and safety practices are reviewed and revised as required after major
incidents or accidents.
Verifiers: Records of accidents, inventory of safety equipment, meeting minutes and decisions,
interview with workers, interview with organization executives
Criterion 2.4.The Organization shall pay wages that meet or exceed minimum forest industry
standards or other recognized forest industry wage agreements or living wages, where these are
higher than the legal minimum wages. When none of these exist, The Organization shall through
engagement with workers develop mechanisms for determining living wages. (new)
Indicator 2.4.1 Wages paid by The Organization* in all circumstances meet or exceed minimum
legal wage as determined by government. The minimum legal wage rate is not applicable to non-
commercial operation or voluntary labor contribution in community based forest management
system.
Verifiers: Government wage rate, contract document, wages payment records, interview with
workers
Note: At the beginning of each fiscal year, multi-stakeholder forum coordinated by local govern-
ment authority reviews the previous minimum wage rate and sets a new wage rate for the next
fiscal year which becomes an authentic minimum wage rate for the particular district.
Indicator 2.4.2 Wages paid meet or exceed:
1) Minimum forest* industry standards; or
2) Other recognized forest* industry wage agreements; or
3) Living wages* that are higher than legal* minimum wages.

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Verifiers: Government wage rate, wages payment records, financial statements, interview with
workers, interview with organization’s executives
Note: The minimum living wage and the legal minimum wage of 2.4.2 are currently the same in
Nepal.
Indicator 2.4.3 When no minimum wage levels exist, wages are established through culturally
appropriate* engagement* with workers* and/or formal and informal workers organizations*.
Verifiers: Interview with workers, meeting minutes and decisions
Indicator 2.4.4 Wages, salaries and contracts are paid on time.
Verifiers: Contract, wages payment records, interview with workers
Criterion 2.5 The Organization shall demonstrate that workers have job-specific training and
supervision to safely and effectively implement the Management Plan and all management activ-
ities. (C7.3 P&C V4)
Indicator 2.5.1. Workers* have job specific training consistent with Annex B and supervision to
safely and effectively contribute to the implementation of the management plan* and all manage-
ment activities.
Verifiers: Training plan, training records, photographs, interview with organization’s executives,
interview with workers, onsite observation
Indicator 2.5.2 Up to date training records are kept for all relevant workers*.
Verifiers: Training records, interview with workers
Indicator 2.5.3 The poor, marginalized and women workers get preferences in training and em-
ployment opportunities. .
Verifiers: Records of trained workers, meeting minutes and decisions, personnel policy
Criterion 2.6 The Organization through engagement with workers shall have mechanisms for
resolving grievances and for providing fair compensation to workers for loss or damage to prop-
erty, occupational diseases, or occupational injuries sustained while working for The Organiza-
tion. (new)
Indicator 2.6.1 A publicly available dispute* resolution process is in place, developed through
culturally appropriate* engagement* with workers*.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, meeting minutes and de-
cisions, interview with workers

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Note: In Nepal, ‘culturally appropriate’ is very diverse and location specific. The Organization*
may include the process in organizational documents, i.e. group constitution or forest manage-
ment plan or in separate policy documents or in decision and/or meeting minutes of executive
committee.
Note for SLIMF: Customary dispute resolution practices can be used which may not be available
in written form.
Indicator 2.6.2 Workers* grievances are identified and responded to and are either resolved or are
in the dispute* resolution process.
Verifiers: Records of grievances, management decisions, interview with workers, interview with
organization‘s executives
Indicator 2.6.3 Up-to-date records of workers* grievances related to workers* loss or damage of
property, occupational diseases* or injuries are maintained including:
1) Steps taken to resolve grievances;
2) Outcomes of all dispute* resolution processes including fair compensation*; and
3) Unresolved disputes*, the reasons they are not resolved, and how they will be resolved.
Verifiers: Records of disputes and grievances, record of compensation, management decisions,
interview with workers, interview with stakeholders
Indicator 2.6.4 Fair compensation* is provided to workers* for work-related loss or damage of
property and occupational disease* or injuries considering the scale of operation and capacity of
The Organization* that is acceptable to both parties.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes and decisions, interview with workers, receipts of compensation

Go to Annex B.

PRINCIPLE 3: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS

The Organization shall identify and uphold Indigenous Peoples’ legal and customary rights of
ownership, use and management of land, territories and resources affected by management ac-
tivities. (P3 P&C V4)
Criterion 3.1. The Organization shall identify the Indigenous Peoples that exist within the Man-
agement Unit or those that are affected by management activities. The Organization shall then,
through engagement with these Indigenous Peoples, identify their rights of tenure, their rights
of access to and use of forest resources and ecosystem services, their customary rights and legal

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rights and obligations that apply within the Management Unit. The Organization shall also iden-
tify areas where these rights are contested. (new)
Indicator 3.1.1 Indigenous Peoples* that may be affected by management activities are identi-
fied.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, interview with organi-
zation’s executives, interview with Indigenous People (IPs)
Note: The Organization* may refer to Adibasi Janajati Uthan Rastriya Pratisthan Ain (2058
BS), Central Bureau of Statistics and any other government decisions related to Indigenous Peo-
ples and their identification.
Indicator 3.1.2 Through culturally appropriate* engagement* with the Indigenous Peoples*
identified in 3.1.1, the following issues are documented and/or mapped:
1) Their legal* and customary rights* of tenure*;
2) Their legal* and customary* access to, and use rights*, of the forest* resources and ecosystem
services*;
3) Their legal* and customary rights* and obligations that apply;
4) The evidence supporting these rights and obligations;
5) Areas where rights are contested between Indigenous Peoples*, governments and/or others;
6) Summary of the means by which the legal* and customary rights* and contested rights, are
addressed by The Organization*;
7) The aspirations and goals of Indigenous Peoples* related to management activities.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, meeting minutes, maps,
interview with IPs
Criterion 3.2.The Organization shall recognize and uphold the legal and customary rights of
Indigenous Peoples to maintain control over management activities within or related to the Man-
agement Unit to the extent necessary to protect their rights, resources and lands and territories.
Delegation by Indigenous Peoples of control over management activities to third parties requires
Free, Prior and Informed Consent. (C3.1 and 3.2 P&C V4)
Indicator 3.2.1 Through culturally appropriate* engagement* Indigenous Peoples* are in-
formed when, where and how they can comment on and request modification to management
activities to the extent necessary to protect their rights, resources, lands and territories*.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, meeting minutes, mon-
itoring report, public notices, interview with organization’s executives, interview with IPs

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Indicator 3.2.2 The legal* and customary rights* of Indigenous Peoples* are not violated by
The Organization*.
Verifiers: Interview with IPs, grievance records
Indicator 3.2.3 Where evidence exists that legal* and customary rights* of Indigenous Peoples*
related to management activities have been violated the situation is corrected, if necessary,
through culturally appropriate* engagement* and/or through the dispute* resolution process as
required in Criteria* 1.6 or 4.6.
Verifiers: Record of grievance and resolution, meeting minutes and decisions, interview with
stakeholders, interview with IPs.
Indicator 3.2.4 Free, prior and informed consent* is granted by Indigenous Peoples* prior to
management activities that affect their identified rights through a process that includes:
1) Ensuring Indigenous Peoples* know their rights and obligations regarding the resource;
2) Informing the Indigenous Peoples* of the value, in economic, social and environmental terms,
of the resource over which they are considering delegation of control;
3) Informing the Indigenous Peoples* of their right to withhold or modify consent to the pro-
posed management activities to the extent necessary to protect their rights, resources, lands and
territories*; and
4) Informing the Indigenous Peoples* of the current and future planned forest* management
activities.
Verifiers: FPIC letter, records of training and awareness program, interview with IPs, meeting
minutes
Note 1: The Organization* may take FPIC at community level including indigenous people
within the area; an additional FPIC may be taken from indigenous people if the area has one or
more settlement of IPs having unique relationship with forests.
Note 2: Community based forest management organizations including community forestry user
groups, collaborative forest management groups, leasehold forest user groups, conservation
community forests, and buffer-zone community forestry user groups develop their forest man-
agement plan in consensus of their members including indigenous people. It is an established
practice in Nepal which will fulfil FPIC requirement.
Criterion 3.3. In the event of delegation of control over management activities, a binding agree-
ment between The Organization and the Indigenous Peoples shall be concluded through Free,

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Prior and Informed Consent. The agreement shall define its duration, provisions for renegotia-
tion, renewal, termination, economic conditions and other terms and conditions. The agreement
shall make provision for monitoring by Indigenous Peoples of The Organization’s compliance
with its terms and conditions. (new)
Indicator 3.3.1 Where control over management activities has been granted through Free Prior
and Informed Consent* based on culturally appropriate* engagement*, the binding agreement*
contains the duration, provisions for renegotiation, renewal, termination, economic conditions
and other terms and conditions.
Verifiers: Agreements, meeting minutes, interview with IPs interview with stakeholders
Indicator 3.3.2 Records of binding agreements* are maintained.
Verifiers: Agreements, interview with IPs, meeting minutes
Indicator 3.3.3 The binding agreement* contains the provision for monitoring by Indigenous
Peoples* of The Organization*’s compliance with its terms and conditions.
Verifiers: Agreement
Criterion 3.4 The Organization shall recognize and uphold the rights, customs and culture of
Indigenous Peoples as defined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples (2007) and ILO Convention 169 (1989). (C3.2P&C V4)
Indicator 3.4.1 The rights, customs and culture of Indigenous Peoples* as defined in UNDRIP,
ILO Convention 169, and CBD are not violated by The Organization*.
Verifiers: Grievance records, forest management plan, interview with organization’s executives,
interview with IPs
Indicator 3.4.2 Where evidence that rights, customs and culture of Indigenous Peoples*, as de-
fined in UNDRIP, ILO Convention 169, and CBD have been violated by The Organization*,
the situation is documented including steps to restore* these rights, customs and culture of In-
digenous Peoples*, to the satisfaction of the rights holders.
Verifiers: Grievance records, meeting minutes, interviews with IPs,
Criterion 3.5. The Organization, through engagement with Indigenous Peoples, shall identify
sites which are of special cultural, ecological, economic, religious or spiritual significance and
for which these Indigenous Peoples hold legal or customary rights. These sites shall be recog-
nized by The Organization and their management, and/or protection shall be agreed through
engagement with these Indigenous Peoples. (C3.3 P&C V4)

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Indicator 3.5.1. Sites of special cultural, ecological, economic, religious or spiritual significance
for which Indigenous Peoples* hold legal* or customary rights* are identified through cultur-
ally appropriate* engagement*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, maps showing HCV areas, interview with
organization executives, onsite observation
Indicator 3.5.2 Measures to protect such sites are agreed, documented and implemented through
culturally appropriate* engagement* with Indigenous Peoples*. When Indigenous Peoples*
determine that physical identification of sites in documentation or on maps would threaten the
value or protection* of the sites, then other means will be used.
Verifiers: onsite observation records of measures implemented, interview with IPs, interview
with organization’s executives
Indicator 3.5.3 Wherever sites of special cultural, ecological, economic, religious or spiritual
significance are newly observed or discovered, management activities cease immediately in the
vicinity until protective measures have been agreed to with the Indigenous Peoples*, and as
directed by local and national laws*.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, onsite observation, records of new discoveries, interview with stake-
holders, interview with IPs
Criterion 3.6. The Organization shall uphold the right of Indigenous Peoples to protect and
utilize their traditional knowledge and shall compensate indigenous communities for the utili-
zation of such knowledge and their intellectual property. A binding agreement as per Criterion
3.3 shall be concluded between The Organization and the Indigenous Peoples for such utilization
through Free, Prior and Informed Consent before utilization takes place, and shall be consistent
with the protection of intellectual property rights. (C3.4 P&C V4)
Indicator 3.6.1. Traditional knowledge* and intellectual property* are protected and are only
used when the acknowledged owners of that traditional knowledge* and intellectual property*
have provided their Free, Prior and Informed Consent* formalized through a binding agree-
ment*.
Verifiers: FPIC letter, forest management plan, record of indigenous knowledge, meeting
minutes, agreements, interview with stakeholders, interview with IPs
Indicator 3.6.2 Indigenous Peoples* are compensated according to the binding agreement*
reached through Free, Prior and Informed Consent* for the use of traditional knowledge* and
intellectual property*.

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Verifiers: Meeting minutes and decisions, interview with representatives of IPs, interview with
organization’s executives, record of compensation

PRINCIPLE 4: COMMUNITY RELATIONS

The Organization shall contribute to maintaining or enhancing the social and economic wellbe-
ing of local communities. (P4 P&C V4)
Criterion 4.1. The Organization shall identify the local communities that exist within the Man-
agement Unit and those that are affected by management activities. The Organization shall then,
through engagement with these local communities, identify their rights of tenure, their rights of
access to and use of forest resources and ecosystem services, their customary rights and legal
rights and obligations that apply within the Management Unit. (new)
Indicator 4.1.1 Local communities* that exist in the Management Unit* and those that may be
affected by management activities are identified.
Verifiers: Household list in the constitution/management plan, maps, meeting minutes , list of
secondary users, list of affected groups, interview with representative of local communities
Indicator 4.1.2 Through culturally appropriate* engagement* with the local communities* iden-
tified in 4.1.1, the following are documented and/or mapped:
1) Their legal* and customary rights* of tenure*;
2) Their legal* and customary* access to, and use rights*, of the forest* resources and ecosystem
services*;
3) Their legal* and customary* rights* and obligations that apply;
4) The evidence supporting these rights and obligations;
5) Areas where rights are contested between local communities*, governments and/or others;
6) Summary of the means by which the legal* and customary rights*, and contested rights are
addressed by The Organization*; and
7) The aspirations and goals of local communities* related to management activities.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps, records of rights and system of engagement, meeting
minutes, interview with representative of local communities
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF do not necessarily have to provide written documents and/or maps;
alternative means of verification can be provided.

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Criterion 4.2.The Organization shall recognize and uphold the legal and customary rights of
local communities to maintain control over management activities within or related to the Man-
agement Unit to the extent necessary to protect their rights, resources, lands and territories. Del-
egation by local communities of control over management activities to third parties requires
Free, Prior and Informed Consent. (C2.2 P&C V4)
Indicator 4.2.1 Through culturally appropriate* engagement* local communities* are informed
of when, where and how they can comment on and request modification to management activi-
ties to the extent necessary to protect their rights.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, report detailing steps taken to address concerns of local communi-
ties, interview with local communities, monitoring report
Indicator 4.2.2 The legal* and customary rights* of local communities* to maintain control over
management activities are not violated by The Organization*.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, observation, grievance
records, interview with local communities
Indicator 4.2.3 Where evidence exists that legal* and customary rights* of local communities*
related to management activities have been violated the situation is corrected, if necessary,
through culturally appropriate* engagement* and/or through the dispute* resolution process in
Criteria* 1.6 or 4.6.
Verifiers: Record of grievance and dispute resolution, meeting minutes, records of corrective
action
Indicator 4.2.4 Free, Prior and Informed Consent* is granted by local communities* prior to
management activities that affect their identified rights through a process that includes:
1) Ensuring local communities* know their rights and obligations regarding the resource;
2) Informing the local communities* of the value, in economic, social and environmental terms,
of the resource over which they are considering delegation of control;
3) Informing the local communities* of their right to withhold or modify consent to the proposed
management activities to the extent necessary to protect their rights and resources; and
4) Informing the local communities* of the current and future planned forest* management ac-
tivities.
Verifiers: FPIC letter, forest management plan, records of training and awareness program, in-
terview with organization’s executives, interview with representative of local communities,
meeting minutes,

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Note 1: For mixed community i.e., indigenous people and other local communities living to-
gether, a scoping study identifies the relationship of IPs and local communities with the re-
sources. The Organization* shall obtain one common FPIC from IPs and local communities
after a full understanding of management activities and their effect. When the management plan
is developed after full and active participation and consent from IPs and other communities, that
plan can serve as FPIC.
Note 2: Community based forest management organizations including community forestry user
groups, collaborative forest management groups, leasehold forest user group, conservation com-
munity forests and buffer-zone community forestry user groups develop their forest manage-
ment plan in consensus of their members including indigenous people. It is an established prac-
tice in Nepal which will fulfil FPIC requirement.
Criterion 4.3. The Organization shall provide reasonable opportunities for employment, train-
ing and other services to local communities, contractors and suppliers proportionate to scale and
intensity of its management activities. (C4.1 P&C V4)
Indicator 4.3.1 Reasonable* opportunities are communicated and provided to local communi-
ties*, local contractors and local suppliers for:
1) Employment,
2) Training, and
3) Other services, such as harvesting, transportation, fire line construction, etc.
Verifiers: Public notice e.g. job announcement, service contract records, training records, em-
ployment records, interview with workers, interview with stakeholders
Indicator 4.3.2 Special emphasis is given to the marginal communities such as forest dependent
poor and Dalits regarding employment, training and other services opportunities
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, public notice e.g. job
announcement, service contract records, training records, employment records, interview with
workers, interview with stakeholders
Criterion 4.4. The Organization shall implement additional activities, through engagement with
local communities that contribute to their social and economic development, proportionate to
the scale, intensity and socio-economic impact of its management activities. (C4.4 P&C V4)
Indicator 4.4.1 Opportunities for local social and economic development are identified through
culturally appropriate * engagement* with local communities* and other relevant organizations.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes and decisions, interview with stakeholders

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Indicator 4.4.2 Projects and additional activities are implemented and/or supported that contrib-
ute to local social and economic benefit and are proportionate to the socio-economic impact of
management activities.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual report, audit report, record of projects and activities,
onsite observation, interview with stakeholders
Criterion 4.5. The Organization, through engagement with local communities, shall take action
to identify, avoid and mitigate significant negative social, environmental and economic impacts
of its management activities on affected communities. The action taken shall be proportionate
to the scale, intensity and risk of those activities and negative impacts. (C4.4 P&C V4)
Indicator 4.5.1 Through culturally appropriate* engagement* with local communities* includ-
ing Dalits, measures are implemented to identify, avoid and mitigate significant* negative so-
cial, environmental and economic impacts of management activities.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, observation, interview with local communities, monitoring
report, document of mitigation measures, social impact assessment report
Note for SLIMF: The potential negative impacts of management activities are discussed and
mitigation measures are implemented if the impacts are found significant. SLIMF organization
may refer to FSC technical material for small, low intensity forests (Briefing note 2: Assessment
of Environmental impacts and Briefing Note 3: Evaluating and Monitoring Social Impacts) to
identify, avoid and mitigate negative social, economic and environmental impacts of forest man-
agement.
4.5.2 Forest based occupational practices (e.g., of Dalits) are not violated by The Organization*
Verifiers: Forest management plan, interviews with Dalits, meeting minutes
Criterion 4.6. The Organization, through engagement with local communities, shall have mech-
anisms for resolving grievances and providing fair compensation to local communities and in-
dividuals with regard to the impacts of management activities of The Organization. (C4.5
P&CV4)
Indicator 4.6.1 A publicly available* dispute* resolution process is in place, developed through
culturally appropriate* engagement* with local communities*.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, meeting minutes and
decisions, interviews with local communities

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Note: In Nepal, ‘culturally appropriate’ is very diverse and location specific. The Organization*
may include the process in organizational documents, i.e. group constitution or forest manage-
ment plan or in separate policy documents or in decision and/or meeting minutes of executive
committee.
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations can use customary dispute resolution practices which
may not be in written form.
Indicator 4.6.2 Grievances related to the impacts of management activities are responded to in a
timely manner*, and are either resolved or are in the dispute* resolution process.
Verifiers: Interview with representative of local communities, meeting minutes and decisions,
records of grievances and resolution
Indicator 4.6.3 An up to date record of grievances related to the impacts of management activi-
ties is held including:
1) Steps taken to resolve grievances;
2) Outcomes of all dispute* resolution processes including fair compensation* to local commu-
nities* and individuals; and
3) Unresolved disputes*, the reasons they are not resolved, and how they will be resolved.
Verifiers: Record of grievances and resolution, interview with organization’s executives
Indicator 4.6.4 Operations cease in areas while disputes* exist of:
1) Substantial magnitude* (equal or greater than 100 ha or10% of the forest management unit,
whichever is smaller); or
2) Substantial duration*(6 months or more); or
3) Involving a significant* number of interests (5% of members of The Organization*, or three
or more interest groups.
Verifiers: Onsite observation, interview with organization’s executives, meeting minutes, rec-
ords of disputes
Criterion 4.7 The Organization, through engagement with local communities, shall identify
sites which are of special cultural, ecological, economic, religious or spiritual significance, and
for which these local communities hold legal or customary rights. These sites shall be recognized
by The Organization, and their management and/or protection shall be agreed through engage-
ment with these local communities.

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Indicator 4.7.1 Sites of special cultural, ecological, economic, religious or spiritual significance
for which local communities* hold legal* or customary rights* are identified through culturally
appropriate* engagement* and are recognized by The Organization*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, map showing high conservation value (HCV) area, inter-
view with organization’s executives, onsite observation, meeting minutes
Indicator 4.7.2 Measures to protect such sites are agreed, documented and implemented through
culturally appropriate engagement* with local communities*. When local communities* deter-
mine that physical identification of sites in documentation or on maps would threaten the value
or protection* of the sites, then other means will be used.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, observations, interview with organization’s executives, rec-
ord of monitoring and measures implemented,
Indicator 4.7.3 Whenever sites of special cultural, ecological, economic, religious or spiritual
significance are newly observed or discovered, management activities cease immediately in the
vicinity until protective measures have been agreed to with the local communities*, and as di-
rected by local and national laws*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, observation, interview with representative of local commu-
nities, interview with organization’s executives, record of ceased operations
Criterion 4.8 The Organization shall uphold the right of local communities to protect and utilize
their traditional knowledge and shall compensate local communities for the utilization of such
knowledge and their intellectual property. A binding agreement as per Criterion 3.3 shall be
concluded between The Organization and the local communities for such utilization through
Free, Prior and Informed Consent before utilization takes place, and shall be consistent with the
protection of intellectual property rights. (new)
Indicator 4.8.1 Traditional knowledge* and intellectual property* are protected and are only
used when the owners of that traditional knowledge* and intellectual property* have provided
their Free, Prior and Informed Consent* formalized through a binding agreement*.
Verifiers: FPIC letter, forest management plan, meeting minutes, record of indigenous
knowledge, interview with workers, interview with local communities
Indicator 4.8.2 Local communities* are compensated according to the binding agreement*
reached through Free, Prior and Informed Consent* for the use of traditional knowledge* and
intellectual property*.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, interview with local communities, record of compensation

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 Forest Stewardship Council®

PRINCIPLE 5: BENEFITS FROM THE FOREST

The Organization shall efficiently manage the range of multiple products and services of the
Management Unit to maintain or enhance long-term economic viability and the range of social
and environmental benefits. (P5 P&C V4)
Criterion 5.1. The Organization shall identify, produce, or enable the production of, diversified
benefits and/or products, based on the range of resources and ecosystem services existing in the
Management Unit in order to strengthen and diversify the local economy proportionate to the
scale and intensity of management activities. (C5.2 and 5.4 P&C V4).
Indicator 5.1.1 The range of resources and ecosystem services* that could strengthen and diver-
sify the local economy are identified.
Verifiers: Record of products and services, forest management plan, meeting minutes, inter-
views with organization executives
Indicator 5.1.2 Consistent with management objectives*, the identified benefits and products are
produced by The Organization* and/or made available for others to produce, to strengthen and
diversify the local economy.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, harvesting records, sales and distribution
records, financial records
Indicator 5.1.3 When The Organization* makes FSC promotional claims regarding the mainte-
nance and/or enhancement of ecosystem services*, Annex C is followed regarding additional
requirements.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, Ecosystem Service Certification Documents (ESCD), inter-
views with organization executives, onsite observation
Criterion 5.2. The Organization shall normally harvest products and services from the Manage-
ment Unit at or below a level which can be permanently sustained. (C5.6 P&C V4)
Indicator 5.2.1 Timber harvesting levels* are based on an analysis of current Best Available
Information* on growth and yield; inventory of the forest*; mortality rates; and maintenance of
ecosystem functions*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, harvesting plan
Note: Best available information for this indicator 5.2.1 is the forest inventory guideline (2005),
scientific forest management guideline (2015), thinning guideline for pine plantations (2006).

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Indicator 5.2.2 Based on the timber harvesting level* analysis, a maximum allowable annual cut
for timber is determined that does not exceed the harvest level that can be permanently sustained
including by ensuring that harvest rates do not exceed growth
Verifiers: Forest management plan, harvesting plan, harvesting records
Indicator 5.2.3 Actual annual harvest levels for timber products are recorded and the harvest
over a defined period does not exceed the allowable cut determined in 5.2.2 for the same defined
period.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, harvesting plan, harvesting records, sales and distribution
records, meeting minutes, onsite observation
Note: In a defined management period (5 or 10 years), in cases of special circumstances (such
as natural disasters), The Organization* may be allowed for the harvest rate exceeding the an-
nual growth rate, provided that all other requirements of this standard are met and that the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
1) The Organization* provides a clear rationale;
2) The Organization* ensures that the actual harvest does not exceed total annual allowable
cut over the defined management period (i.e. 5 or 10 years)
Indicator 5.2.4 For extraction of commercially harvested services and non-timber forest prod-
ucts* under The Organization’s* control a sustainable harvest level is calculated and adhered
to. Sustainable harvest levels are based on Best Available Information*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, harvesting plan, harvesting records, sales and distribution
records, onsite observation, interview with experts
Criterion 5.3. The Organization shall demonstrate that the positive and negative externalities
of operations are included in the management plan. (C5.1 P&C V4)
Indicator 5.3.1 Costs related to preventing, mitigating or compensating for negative social and
environment impacts of management activities are quantified and documented in the manage-
ment plan*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, IEE/EIA reports, meeting minutes, interview with organi-
zation executives, interview with local stakeholders
Note: Management plan or IEE/EIA reports may serve the basis of quantifying the costs of im-
pacts.
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations may identify the costs related to preventing, mitigating
or compensating the activities for mitigating the impacts in a participatory manner, and maintain

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it in one of any following organizational documents: management plan, meeting minutes and
decisions, enterprise development plan, business plan etc.
Indicator 5.3.2 Benefits related to positive social and environment impacts of management ac-
tivities are identified and included in the management plan*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, IEE/EIA reports, meeting minutes, interviews with organi-
zation executives
Criterion 5.4. The Organization shall use local processing, local services, and local value add-
ing to meet the requirements of The Organization where these are available, proportionate to
scale, intensity and risk. If these are not locally available, The Organization shall make reason-
able attempts to help establish these services. (C5.2 P&C V4)
Indicator 5.4.1 Where cost, quality and capacity of non-local and local options are at least equiv-
alent, local goods, services, processing and value-added facilities are used.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, meeting minutes, contract records, business plan,
interview with local stakeholders
Indicator 5.4.2 Reasonable* attempts are made to establish and encourage capacity where local
goods, services, processing and value-added facilities are not available.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, constitution, procedural documents, public notice, training
records, interview with workers
Criterion 5.5. The Organization shall demonstrate through its planning and expenditures pro-
portionate to scale, intensity and risk, its commitment to long-term economic viability. (C5.1
P&C V4)
Indicator 5.5.1 Sufficient funds are allocated to implement the management plan* in order to
meet this standard and to ensure long-term* economic viability*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, financial records, annual plan, meeting minutes
Indicator 5.5.2 Expenditures and investments are made to implement the management plan* in
order to meet this standard and to ensure long-term* economic viability*.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, annual report, financial reports, interview with organization’s exec-
utives
Go to Annex C.

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PRINCIPLE 6: ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES* AND IMPACTS

The Organization shall maintain, conserve and/or restore ecosystem services and environmental
values of the Management Unit, and shall avoid, repair or mitigate negative environmental im-
pacts. (P6 P&C V4)
Criterion 6.1. The Organization shall assess environmental values in the Management Unit and
those values outside the Management Unit potentially affected by management activities. This
assessment shall be undertaken with a level of detail, scale and frequency that is proportionate
to the scale, intensity and risk of management activities, and is sufficient for the purpose of
deciding the necessary conservation measures, and for detecting and monitoring possible nega-
tive impacts of those activities. (new)
Indicator 6.1.1 Best Available Information* is used to identify environmental values* within,
and, where potentially affected by management activities, outside of the Management Unit*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, IEE/EIA report
Note: Best available information includes but not limited to:
• Publication by Department of national parks and wildlife conservation, Ministry of forest
and soil conservation, District forest offices, and forest management groups.
• Information provided by others third parties, for instance non-government or research
organizations, individual researchers and experts etc.
• Transect forest walks
• Consultation with local communities, indigenous communities, and key informants
Indicator 6.1.2 Assessments of environmental values* are conducted with a level of detail and
within a period of 5 years so that:
1) Impacts of management activities on the identified environmental values* can be assessed as
per Criterion* 6.2;
2) Risks* to environmental values* can be identified as per Criterion* 6.2;
3) Necessary conservation* measures to protect values can be identified as per Criterion* 6.3;
and,
4) Monitoring of impacts or environmental changes can be conducted as per Principle* 8.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, participatory assessment report of environmental values,
IEE/EIA report, monitoring report, environmental performance checklist

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Indicator 6.1.3 For SLIMF, The Organization* carries out the assessment of environmental val-
ues* with-in a period from 5 to 10 years and reviewed every five years through participatory
approach.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, participatory assessment report of environmental values,
monitoring report, environmental performance checklist
Criterion 6.2. Prior to the start of site-disturbing activities, The Organization shall identify and
assess the scale, intensity and risk of potential impacts of management activities on the identified
environmental values. (C6.1 P&C V4)
Indicator 6.2.1 An environmental impact assessment* or forest management plan identifies po-
tential present and future impacts of management activities on environmental values*, from the
stand level to the landscape level.
Verifiers: IEE/EIA report, forest management plan participatory assessment report on environ-
mental values, interview with stakeholders, onsite observation
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations may refer to FSC Briefing Note 2: Assessment of envi-
ronmental impacts for identifying potential impacts of management activities on environmental
values prior to implementation of management activities.
Indicator 6.2.2 The environmental impact assessment* or management plan identify and assess
the impacts of the management activities prior to the start of site-disturbing activities.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, IEE/EIA report, environmental performance checklist
Note: The latest provisions of forests and environmental laws define the threshold for conduct-
ing IEE and EIA.
Criterion 6.3. The Organization shall identify and implement effective actions to prevent neg-
ative impacts of management activities on the environmental values, and to mitigate and repair
those that occur, proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk of these impacts. (C6.1 P&C V4)
Indicator 6.3.1 Management activities are planned and implemented to prevent negative impacts
and to protect environmental values*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, IEE/EIA report, meeting minutes and decisions, annual re-
port, environmental checklist, interview with stakeholders, onsite observation
Indicator 6.3.2 Management activities prevent negative impacts to environmental values*.
Verifiers: Annual report, observation, photographs (e.g. photo point monitoring), environmental
performance checklist, interview with stakeholders, onsite observation

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Indicator 6.3.3 Where negative impacts to environmental values* occur, measures are adopted
to prevent further damage, and negative impacts are mitigated* and/or repaired*.
Verifiers: Meeting minute and decisions, monitoring report, annual report, onsite observation,
environmental performance checklist, interview with organization executives, interview with
stakeholders
Criterion 6.4. The Organization shall protect rare species and threatened species and their hab-
itats in the Management Unit through conservation zones, protection areas, connectivity and/or
(where necessary) other direct measures for their survival and viability. These measures shall be
proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk of management activities and to the conservation
status and ecological requirements of the rare and threatened species. The Organization shall
take into account the geographic range and ecological requirements of rare and threatened spe-
cies beyond the boundary of the Management Unit, when determining the measures to be taken
inside the Management Unit. (C6.2 P&C V4)
Indicator 6.4.1 Best Available Information* is used to identify rare and threatened species*, and
their habitats*, including CITES species (where applicable) and those listed on national, re-
gional and local lists of rare and threatened species* that are present or likely to be present
within and adjacent to the Management Unit*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, biodiversity register, study reports, monitoring reports, in-
terview with stakeholders
Note 1: Best Available Information* includes but not limited to:
1) IUCN Red list, CITES list, and protected species by the Government of Nepal;
2) Field surveys;
3) Book on major wild flora and fauna of Nepal that are illegally harvested and
traded published by Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation;
4) Databases relevant to rare, threatened and endangered species, such as main-
tained by district forests office, relevant offices in protected areas, district devel-
opment committee;
5) Consultation with representatives of local communities and experts.
Note 2: See Annex H Rare and threatened species list in Nepal and the region

Indicator 6.4.2 Potential impacts of management activities on rare and threatened species* and
their conservation* status and habitats* are identified and management activities are modified
to avoid negative impacts.

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Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps, annual plan, onsite observation, study reports, moni-
toring report
Indicator 6.4.3 The rare and threatened species* and their habitats* are protected, including
through the provision of conservation zones*, protection areas*, connectivity*, and other direct
means for their survival and viability, such as species’ recovery programs.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps of high conservation values area, meeting minutes and
decisions, onsite observation, interview with organization’s executives, and environmental per-
formance checklist
Indicator 6.4.4 Hunting, fishing, trapping and collection of rare or threatened species* is pre-
vented.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, interview with organi-
zation’s executives, interview with stakeholders, meeting minutes, monitoring report.
Criterion 6.5 The Organization shall identify and protect representative sample areas of native
ecosystems and/or restore them to more natural conditions. Where representative sample areas
do not exist or are insufficient, The Organization shall restore a proportion of the Management
Unit to more natural conditions. The size of the areas and the measures taken for their protection
or restoration, including within plantations, shall be proportionate to the conservation status and
value of the ecosystems at the landscape level, and the scale, intensity and risk of management
activities. (C6.4 and 10.5 P&C V4 and Motion 2014#7)
Note: By default, riparian zones do not qualify to be included in the Conservation Area Network.
Riparian zones may however be included, if those areas fully meet the definitions of representa-
tive sample areas, conservation zones, protection areas, connectivity as exemplified by wildlife
corridors, providing the riparian zones are not disproportionately represented in the Conserva-
tion Area Network. Riparian zones "created" or planted for purely functional roles, e.g. erosion
control should be excluded.
Indicator 6.5.1 Best Available Information* is used to identify native ecosystems* that exist, or
would exist under natural conditions*, within the Management Unit *.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, map of HCV areas, study report, monitoring report, inter-
view with organization’s executives
Note: If applicable, Best Available Information* includes:
1. Field surveys;

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2. Databases relevant to the environmental values*, for example, database maintained by

district forests office, relevant offices in protected areas, district development committee
or above level;
3. Consultation with local and regional experts;
4. Culturally appropriate* engagement* with indigenous peoples*, local communities*
and affected stakeholder* and interested stakeholder*.
Indicator 6.5.2 Representative Sample Areas* of native ecosystems* are protected, where they
exist.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, map of HCV areas, onsite observation
Indicator 6.5.3 Where Representative Sample Areas* do not exist, or where existing sample
areas inadequately represent native ecosystems*, or are otherwise insufficient, a proportion of
the Management Unit* is restored* to more natural conditions*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, annual plan, maps, onsite observation, in-
terview with stakeholders
Indicator 6.5.4 The size of the Representative Sample Areas* and/or restoration* areas is pro-
portionate to the conservation* status and value of the ecosystems* at the landscape* level, the
size of the Management Unit* and the intensity* of forest* management.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps, interview with organization’s executives, onsite ob-
servation

Indicator 6.5.5 Representative Sample Areas* in combination with other important areas from
conservation point of view * comprise a minimum 10% area of the Management Unit*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps, interview with organization’s executives, onsite ob-
servation
Note for FLIMF: SLIMF organizations can collectively fulfil the conservation requirement of
10% under group certification schemes.
Criterion 6.6. The Organization shall effectively maintain the continued existence of naturally
occurring native species and genotypes, and prevent losses of biological diversity, especially
through habitat management in the Management Unit. The Organization shall demonstrate that
effective measures are in place to manage and control hunting, fishing, trapping and collecting.
(C6.2 and C6.3 P&C V4)

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Note: Management activities as referenced in indicators 6.6.1-6.6.4 include activities to prevent

forest fire and control over grazing.
Indicator 6.6.1 Management activities maintain the plant communities and habitat features*
found within native ecosystems* in which the Management Unit* is located.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps, interview with stakeholders, onsite observation
Indicator 6.6.2 Where past management has eliminated plant communities or habitat features*,
management activities aimed at re-establishing such habitats* are implemented.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual plan, meeting minutes and decisions, interview with
stakeholders, onsite observation
Indicator 6.6.3 Management activities maintain, enhance, or restore* habitat features* associ-
ated with native ecosystems*, to support the diversity of naturally occurring species and their
genetic diversity.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual plan, meeting minutes and decisions, interview with
stakeholders, onsite observation, monitoring report
Indicator 6.6.4 Effective measures are taken to manage and control hunting, fishing, trapping
and collecting activities to ensure that naturally occurring native species*, their diversity within
species and their natural distribution are maintained.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, monitoring report, interviews with organization’s execu-
tives, meeting minutes and decisions, onsite observation
Criterion 6.7. The Organization shall protect or restore natural watercourses, water bodies, ri-
parian zones and their connectivity. The Organization shall avoid negative impacts on water
quality and quantity and mitigate and remedy those that occur. (C6.5 and 10.2 P&C V4)
Indicator 6.7.1 Protection* measures are implemented to protect natural watercourses*, water
bodies*, riparian zones* and their connectivity*, including water quantity and water quality.
Verifiers: Water sources protection provisions in the forest management plan, map showing wa-
ter resources, record of protection measures implemented, annual plan, interviews with organi-
zation’s executives, onsite observation
Indicator 6.7.2 Where implemented protection* measures do not protect watercourses*, water
bodies*, riparian zones* and their connectivity*, water quantity or water quality from impacts
of forest* management, restoration activities are implemented.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual plan, meeting minutes and decisions, monitoring re-
port, interview with organization’s executives, onsite observation

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Indicator 6.7.3 Where natural watercourses, water bodies*, riparian zones* and their connec-
tivity*, water quantity or water quality have been damaged by past activities on land and water
restoration activities* are implemented.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, record of damaged water sources by past activities, annual
plan, meeting minutes and decisions, monitoring report, interview with stakeholders, onsite ob-
servation
Indicator 6.7.4 Where continued degradation exists to watercourses*, water bodies*, water
quantity and water quality caused by previous managers and the activities of third parties,
measures are implemented that prevent or mitigate this degradation.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual plan, meeting minutes and decisions, monitoring re-
port, interview with organization’s executives, onsite observation
Criterion 6.8. The Organization shall manage the landscape in the Management Unit to main-
tain and/or restore a varying mosaic of species, sizes, ages, spatial scales and regeneration cycles
appropriate for the landscape values in that region, and for enhancing environmental and eco-
nomic resilience. (C10.2 and 10.3 P&C V4)
Indicator 6.8.1 A varying mosaic of species, sizes, ages, spatial scales*, and regeneration cycles
is maintained appropriate to the landscape*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, onsite observation, interview with organization’s executives
Indicator 6.8.2 The mosaic of species, sizes, ages, spatial scales*, and regeneration cycles is
restored* where it has not been maintained appropriate to the landscape*.
Verifiers: Management plan, annual plan, onsite observation, monitoring report
Criterion 6.9. The Organization shall not convert natural forest to plantations, nor natural for-
ests or plantations on sites directly converted from natural forest to non-forest land use, except
when the conversion:
a) Affects a very limited portion of the area of the Management Unit, and
b) Will produce clear, substantial, additional, secure long-term conservation benefits in
the Management Unit, and
c) Does not damage or threaten High Conservation Values, nor any sites or resources
necessary to maintain or enhance those High Conservation Values. (C6.10 P&C V4
and Motion 2014#7)

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Indicator 6.9.1 There is no conversion of natural forest* to plantations*, nor conversion of nat-
ural forests* to non-forest* land use, nor conversion of plantations* on sites directly converted
from natural forest* to non-forest* land use, except when the conversion:
1) Affects a very limited portion* of the Management Unit*, and
2) The conversion will produce clear, substantial, additional, secure, long-term conservation*
benefits in the Management Unit*; and
3) Does not damage or threaten High Conservation Values*, nor any sites or resources necessary
to maintain or enhance those High Conservation Values*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, map of HCV area, onsite observation, interview with organ-
ization’s executives, interview with stakeholders
Criterion 6.10. Management Units containing plantations that were established on areas con-
verted from natural forest after November 1994 shall not qualify for certification, except where:
a) Clear and sufficient evidence is provided that The Organization was not directly or
indirectly responsible for the conversion, or
b) The conversion affected a very limited portion of the area of the Management Unit
and is producing clear, substantial, additional, secure long-term conservation benefits
in the Management Unit. (C10.9 P&C V4)
Indicator 6.10.1 Based on Best Available Information*, accurate data is compiled on all conver-
sions since 1994.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps, records of areas converted
Note: Best available information may include-
1. Forest conversion records;
2. Information collected from key informants;
3. Information collected through onsite observation/survey etc.
Indicator 6.10.2 Areas converted from natural forest* to plantation* since November 1994 are
not certified, except where:
1) The Organization* provides clear and sufficient evidence that it was not directly or indirectly
responsible for the conversion; or
2) The conversion is producing clear, substantial, additional, secure, long-term conservation*
benefits in the Management Unit*; and
3) The total area of plantation* on sites converted from natural forest* since November 1994 is
less than 5% of the total area of the Management Unit*.

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Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps, records of area converted, onsite observation.
Go to Annex D.

PRINCIPLE 7: MANAGEMENT PLANNING

The Organization shall have a management plan consistent with its policies and objectives and
proportionate to scale, intensity and risks of its management activities. The management plan
shall be implemented and kept up to date based on monitoring information in order to promote
adaptive management. The associated planning and procedural documentation shall be sufficient
to guide staff, inform affected stakeholders and interested stakeholders and to justify manage-
ment decisions. (P7 P&CV4)
Criterion 7.1. The Organization shall, proportionate to scale, intensity and risk of its manage-
ment activities, set policies (visions and values) and objectives for management, which are en-
vironmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically viable. Summaries of these policies
and objectives shall be incorporated into the management plan, and publicized. (C7.1a P&C V4)
Indicator 7.1.1 Policies (vision and values) that contribute to meeting the requirements of this
standard are defined.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, group manager’s policy
guideline
Indicator 7.1.2 Specific, operational management objectives* that address the requirements of
this standard are defined.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes
Indicator 7.1.3 Summaries of the defined policies and management objectives* are included in
the management plan* and publicized.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, notices, meeting minutes brochure
Criterion 7.2. The Organization shall have and implement a management plan for the Manage-
ment Unit which is fully consistent with the policies and management objectives as established
according to Criterion 7.1. The management plan shall describe the natural resources that exist
in the Management Unit and explain how the plan will meet the FSC certification requirements.
The management plan shall cover forest management planning and social management planning
proportionate to scale, intensity and risk of the planned activities. (C7.1 P&C V4)

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Indicator 7.2.1 The management plan* includes management actions, procedures, strategies and
measures to achieve the management objectives*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan
Indicator 7.2.2 The management plan* addresses the elements listed in Annex E, and is imple-
mented.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, meeting minutes, an-
nual report
Criterion 7.3. The management plan shall include verifiable targets by which progress towards
each of the prescribed management objectives can be assessed. (new)
Indicator 7.3.1 Verifiable targets*, and the frequency that they are assessed, are established for
monitoring the progress towards each management objective*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, monitoring report, meeting minutes, annual plan
Criterion 7.4. The Organization shall update and revise periodically the management planning
and procedural documentation to incorporate the results of monitoring and evaluation, stake-
holder engagement or new scientific and technical information, as well as to respond to changing
environmental, social and economic circumstances. (C7.2 P&C V4)
Indicator 7.4.1 The management plan* is revised and updated periodically consistent with An-
nex E to incorporate:
1) Monitoring results, including results of certification audits;
2) Evaluation results;
3) Stakeholder engagement* results;
4) New scientific and technical information, and
5) Changing environmental, social, or economic circumstances.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plans (revised), meeting
minutes, interview with organization’s executives
Criterion 7.5. The Organization shall make publicly available a summary of the management
plan free of charge. Excluding confidential information, other relevant components of the man-
agement plan shall be made available to affected stakeholders on request, and at cost of repro-
duction and handling. (C7.4 P&C V4)
Indicator 7.5.1 A summary of the management plan* in a format comprehensible to stakeholders
including maps and excluding confidential information* is made publicly available* at no cost.

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Verifiers: Meeting minutes, forest management plan, interview with organization’s executives,
interview with stakeholders, citizen charter, brochure
Indicator 7.5.2 Relevant components of the management plan*, excluding confidential infor-
mation*, are available to affected stakeholders* on request at the actual costs of reproduction
and handling.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, forest management plan, interview with organization’s executives,
interview with stakeholders, citizen charter, brochure
Criterion 7.6. The Organization shall, proportionate to scale, intensity and risk of management
activities, proactively and transparently engage affected stakeholders in its management plan-
ning and monitoring processes, and shall engage interested stakeholders on request. (C4.4 P&C
V4)
Indicator 7.6.1 Culturally appropriate* engagement* is used to ensure that affected stakehold-
ers* are proactively and transparently engaged in the following processes:
1) Dispute* resolution processes (Criterion* 1.6, Criterion* 2.6, Criterion* 4.6);
2) Definition of Living wages* (Criterion* 2.4);
3) Identification of rights (Criterion* 3.1, Criterion* 4.1), sites (Criterion* 3.5, Criterion* 4.7)
and impacts (Criterion* 4.5);
4) Local communities’* socio-economic development activities (Criterion* 4.4); and
5) High Conservation Value* assessment, management and monitoring (Criterion* 9.1, Crite-
rion* 9.2, Criterion* 9.4).
Verifiers: Constitutional, procedural document, forest management plan, meeting minutes, an-
nual reports, interviews with stakeholders
Note: Scoping assessment provides a detailed mapping of affected stakeholders* – both within
and outside of management unit*. Methods, mechanism or the intensity of engagement may vary
case by case. Whatever the case, The Organization* requires engagement with the stakeholders
affected by the management intervention(s).
Indicator 7.6.2 Culturally appropriate* engagement* is used to:
1) Determine appropriate representatives and contact points (including where appropriate, local
institutions, organizations and authorities);
2) Determine mutually agreed communication channels allowing for information to flow in both
directions;
3) Ensure all actors (women, youth, elderly, minorities) are represented and engaged equitably;

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4) Ensure all meetings, all points discussed and all agreements reached are recorded;
5) Ensure the content of meeting records is approved; and
6) Ensure the results of all culturally appropriate* engagement* activities are shared with those
involved.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, minutes of hamlets and interest group discussions, interview with
organization’s executives, interview with stakeholders
Indicator 7.6.3 Affected stakeholders* are provided with an opportunity for culturally appropri-
ate* engagement* in monitoring and planning processes of management activities that affect
their interests.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes ,monitoring report, record of attendance,
interview with affected stakeholders
Indicator 7.6.4 On request, interested stakeholders* are provided with an opportunity for en-
gagement* in monitoring and planning processes of management activities that affect their in-
terests.
Verifiers: Request letter, meeting minutes, record of attendance
Go to Annex D.

PRINCIPLE 8: MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT

The Organization shall demonstrate that, progress towards achieving the management objec-
tives, the impacts of management activities and the condition of the Management Unit, are mon-
itored and evaluated proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk of management activities, in
order to implement adaptive management. (P8 P&C V4)
Criterion 8.1. The Organization shall monitor the implementation of its Management Plan, in-
cluding its policies and management objectives, its progress with the activities planned, and the
achievement of its verifiable targets. (new)
Indicator 8.1.1 Procedures are documented and executed for monitoring the implementation of
the management plan* including its policies and management objectives* and achievement of
verifiable targets*.
Verifiers: Constitution, procedural documents, forest management plan, meeting minutes
Criterion 8.2. The Organization shall monitor and evaluate the environmental and social im-
pacts of the activities carried out in the Management Unit, and changes in its environmental
condition. (C8.2 P&C V4)

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Indicator 8.2.1 The social and environmental impacts of management activities are monitored*
consistent with Annex F.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, annual report, monitoring report, interview
with organization’s executives, onsite observation
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations may design monitoring methods in line with FSC Brief-
ing Note 5: Tools for simple monitoring.
Indicator 8.2.2 Changes in environmental conditions are monitored* consistent with Annex F.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, participatory assessment reports of environmental values,
monitoring reports, annual report, interview with organization’s executives
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations may follow monitoring methods designed in line with
FSC Briefing Note 5: Tools for simple monitoring.
Criterion 8.3 The Organization shall analyze the results of monitoring and evaluation and feed
the outcomes of this analysis back into the planning process. (C8.4 P&C V4)
Indicator 8.3.1 Adaptive management* procedures are implemented so that monitoring results
feed into periodic updates to the planning process and the resulting management plan*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, annual plans, annual report
Indicator 8.3.2 If monitoring results show non-conformities with the FSC Standard then man-
agement objectives*, verifiable targets* and/or management activities are revised.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, forest management plan, monitoring reports, interview with stake-
holders
Criterion 8.4. The Organization shall make publicly available a summary of the results of mon-
itoring free of charge, excluding confidential information. (C8.5 P&C V4)
Indicator 8.4.1 A summary of the monitoring results consistent with Annex F, in a format com-
prehensible to stakeholders including maps and excluding confidential information* is made
publicly available* at no cost.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, citizen charter, interview with stakeholders
Criterion 8.5. The Organization shall have and implement a tracking and tracing system pro-
portionate to scale, intensity and risk of its management activities, for demonstrating the source
and volume in proportion to projected output for each year, of all products from the Management
Unit that are marketed as FSC certified. (C8.3 P&C V4)
Indicator 8.5.1 A system is implemented to track and trace all products that are marketed as FSC
certified.

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Verifiers: Financial record, sales and distribution records, transportation permit, harvesting rec-
ords, meeting minutes, interview with organization’s executives
Indicator 8.5.2 Information about all products sold is compiled and documented, including:
1) Common and/or scientific name of the species;
2) Product name or description;
3) Volume (or quantity) of product;
4) Information to trace the material to the source of origin harvesting block;
5) Harvesting date;
6) If basic processing activities take place in the forest, the date and volume produced; and
7) Whether or not the material was sold as FSC certified.
Verifiers: Sales and distribution records, enterprise records, financial records, meeting minutes,
interviews with organization executives, onsite observation
Note: Items 4 and 5 are not applicable for branches and twigs.
Indicator 8.5.3 Sales invoices or similar documentation are kept for a minimum of five years for
all products sold with an FSC claim, which identify at a minimum, the following information:
1) Name and address of purchaser;
2) The date of sale;
3) Common and scientific species name;
4) Product description;
5) The volume (or quantity) sold;
6) Certificate code; and
7) The FSC Claim “FSC 100%” identifying products sold as FSC certified.
Verifiers: Financial records, sale and distribution record
Go to Annex E.

PRINCIPLE 9: HIGH CONSERVATION VALUES

The Organization shall maintain and/or enhance the High Conservation Values in the Manage-
ment Unit through applying the precautionary approach. (P9 P&C V4)
Note: In the absence of this national interpretation, the “Common Guidance” documents of the
HCV Resource Network will be applied. These include the following:
1. Common Guidance for HCV Identification;
2. Common Guidance for HCV Management and Monitoring.

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The Annex G provides an overview of possible management strategies for maintenance or en-
hancement of HCVs, while the Annex I provides Best Available Information* and general in-
formation sources for the identification of HCVs in Nepal.
Criterion 9.1. The Organization, through engagement with affected stakeholders, interested
stakeholders and other means and sources, shall assess and record the presence and status of the
following High Conservation Values in the Management Unit, proportionate to the scale, inten-
sity and risk of impacts of management activities, and likelihood of the occurrence of the High
Conservation Values:
HCV 1 – Species diversity. Concentrations of biological diversity including endemic species,
and rare, threatened or endangered species, that are significant at global, regional or national
levels.
HCV 2 – Landscape-level ecosystems and mosaics. Intact forest landscapes and large land-
scape-level ecosystems and ecosystem mosaics that are significant at global, regional or national
levels, and that contain viable populations of the great majority of the naturally occurring species
in natural patterns of distribution and abundance.
HCV 3 – Ecosystems and habitats. Rare, threatened, or endangered ecosystems, habitats or re-
fugia.
HCV 4 – Critical* ecosystem services*. Basic ecosystem services in critical situations, includ-
ing protection of water catchments and control of erosion of vulnerable soils and slopes.
HCV 5 – Community needs. Sites and resources fundamental for satisfying the basic necessities
of local communities or Indigenous Peoples (for livelihoods, health, nutrition, water, etc.), iden-
tified through engagement with these communities or Indigenous Peoples.
HCV 6 – Cultural values. Sites, resources, habitats and landscapes of global or national cultural,
archaeological or historical significance, and/or of critical cultural, ecological, economic or re-
ligious/sacred importance for the traditional cultures of local communities or Indigenous Peo-
ples, identified through engagement with these local communities or Indigenous Peoples. (C9.1
P&C V4 and Motion 2014#7)
Indicator 9.1.1 An assessment is completed using Best Available Information* that records the
location and status of High Conservation Value* Categories 1-6, as defined in Criterion* 9.1;
the High Conservation Value Areas* they rely upon, and their condition.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, map of HCV areas, interview with organization’s execu-
tives, onsite observation

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Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations may use the following FSC guidance and technical ma-
terials to assess the HCV:

1) Briefing Note 4: High Conservation Values;

2) Briefing Note 5: Simple monitoring methods;
3) FSC step-by-step guide for HCV.
See Annex I for details.
Indicator 9.1.2 The assessment uses results from culturally appropriate* engagement* with af-
fected* and interested stakeholders* with an interest in the conservation* of the High Conser-
vation Values*.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, forest management plan, interview with stakeholders
Criterion 9.2. The Organization shall develop effective strategies that maintain and/or enhance
the identified High Conservation Values, through engagement with affected stakeholders, inter-
ested stakeholders and experts. (C9.2 P&C V4)
Indicator 9.2.1 Threats to High Conservation Values* are identified using Best Available Infor-
mation*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, Map of HCV areas,
Note: Best available information includes but not limited to:
1. Documents (drivers of deforestation and forest degradation) published by REDD-IC and
other organizations and illegally traded flora and fauna by DNPWC
2. Information collected from consultation with local communities, experts and stakeholders
3. Field survey report
4. Database or study reports, if available, at government forests offices at various level
5. Accessible databases and study reports from research and non-profit organizations
Indicator 9.2.2 Management strategies and actions are developed to maintain and/or enhance the
identified High Conservation Values* and to maintain associated High Conservation Value Ar-
eas* prior to implementing potentially harmful management activities.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations may use FSC guidance and technical materials for small,
low intensity and community forests to develop strategies:

1) Briefing Note 4: High Conservation Values;

2) Briefing Note 5: Simple monitoring methods;
3) FSC step-by-step guide.

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4) See Annex I for details.

Indicator 9.2.3 Affected* and interested stakeholders* and experts are engaged in the develop-
ment of management strategies and actions to maintain and/or enhance the identified High Con-
servation Values*.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, record of attendance, interview with organization’s executives, in-
terview with affected stakeholders
Note: Experts include but not limited to the professionals and practitioners at community level
having knowledge in forestry, environment and social sciences.
Indicator 9.2.4 The strategies developed are effective to maintain and/or enhance the High Con-
servation Values*.
Verifiers: Monitoring report, forest management plan, interview with stakeholders, onsite ob-
servation
Criterion 9.3. The Organization shall implement strategies and actions that maintain and/or
enhance the identified High Conservation Values. These strategies and actions shall implement
the precautionary approach and be proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk of management
activities. (C9.3 P&C V4)
Indicator 9.3.1The High Conservation Values* and the High Conservation Value Areas* on
which they depend are maintained and/or enhanced, including by implementing the strategies
developed.
Verifiers: Annual plan, meeting minutes, annual report, interview with organization’s execu-
tives, monitoring report, onsite observation
Indicator 9.3.2 The strategies and actions prevent damage and avoid risks to High Conservation
Values*, even when the scientific information is incomplete or inconclusive, and when the vul-
nerability and sensitivity of High Conservation Values*are uncertain.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, interview with organization’s executives, annual report,
onsite observation
Indicator 9.3.3 Activities that harm High Conservation Values* cease immediately and actions
are taken to restore* and protect the High Conservation Values*.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, annual plan, annual report, monitoring report, photographs (e.g.,
taken for point monitoring), interview with stakeholders, onsite observation.

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Criterion 9.4. The Organization shall demonstrate that periodic monitoring is carried out to
assess changes in the status of High Conservation Values, and shall adapt its management strat-
egies to ensure their effective protection. The monitoring shall be proportionate to the scale,
intensity and risk of management activities, and shall include engagement with affected stake-
holders, interested stakeholders and experts. (C9.4 P&C V4)
Indicator 9.4.1 A program of periodic monitoring assesses:
1) Implementation of strategies;
2) The status of High Conservation Values*, including High Conservation Value Areas* on
which they depend; and
3) The effectiveness of the management strategies and actions for the protection* of High Con-
servation Values*, to fully maintain and/or enhance the High Conservation Values*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, interview with organization’s executives,
monitoring report, onsite observation
Note for SLIMF: SLIMF organizations can use FSC guidance and technical materials for small,
low intensity and community forests to design monitoring programs-
1. Briefing note 4: High conservation values
2. Briefing note 5: Simple monitoring methods
3. FSC step by step guide
Indicator 9.4.2 The monitoring program includes engagement* with affected* and interested
stakeholders* and experts.
Verifiers: Monitoring report, meeting minutes record of attendance, interview with stakeholders,
onsite observation
Indicator 9.4.3 The monitoring program has sufficient scope, detail and frequency to detect
changes in High Conservation Values*, relative to the initial assessment and status identified
for each High Conservation Value*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, annual report
Note: In the absence of HCV framework, SLIMF organizations will continue existing monitor-
ing practices with special emphasis on HCV area to protect HCV and detect the changes.
Indicator 9.4.4 Management strategies and actions are adapted when monitoring or other new
information show that these strategies and actions are insufficient to ensure the maintenance
and/or enhancement of High Conservation Values*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, annual plan, interview with organization’s
executives

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Go to Annex F.

PRINCIPLE 10: IMPLEMENTATION OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Management activities conducted by or for The Organization for the Management Unit shall be
selected and implemented consistent with The Organization’s economic, environmental and so-
cial policies and objectives and in compliance with the Principles and Criteria collectively. (new)
Criterion 10.1. After harvest or in accordance with the management plan, The Organization
shall, by natural or artificial regeneration methods, regenerate vegetation cover in a timely fash-
ion to pre-harvesting or more natural conditions. (new)
Indicator 10.1.1 Harvested sites are regenerated in a timely manner* that:
1) Protects affected environmental values*; and
2) Is suitable to recover overall pre-harvest* or natural forest* composition and structure.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual plan, monitoring report, photographs, annual report,
meeting minutes, interview with stakeholders, onsite observation
Indicator 10.1.2 Regeneration activities* are implemented in a manner that:
1) For harvest of existing plantations*, regenerate to the vegetation cover that existed prior to
the harvest or to more natural conditions* using ecologically well-adapted species;
2) For harvest of natural forests*, regenerate to pre-harvest* or to more natural conditions*; or
3) For harvest of degraded natural forests*, regenerate to more natural conditions*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, records of silvicultural activities, records
of plantation, interview with stakeholders, onsite observation
Note: For existing plantation and natural forests, The Organization* promotes either naturally
grown seedlings or pre-harvesting species. However, approved plant species well adapted in
similar ecological condition could be introduced in degraded natural forests.
Criterion 10.2. The Organization shall use species for regeneration that are ecologically well
adapted to the site and to the management objectives. The Organization shall use native species
and local genotypes for regeneration, unless there is clear and convincing justification for using
others. (C10.4 and C10.8 P&C V4)
Indicator 10.2.1 Species* chosen for regeneration are ecologically well adapted to the site, are
native species* and are of local provenance, unless clear and convincing justification is provided
for using non-local genotypes* or non-native species*.

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Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, records of plantation, monitoring reports,
interview with experts, interview with organization’s executives
Note: The Organization* promote native species for regenerating the forests. The Organization
may introduce non-local genotypes based on the recommendation of Department of Forest or
Department of Forest Research and Survey or Department of Plant Resources.
Indicator 10.2.2 Species chosen for regeneration are consistent with the regeneration objectives*
and with the management objectives*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, records of plantation, monitoring/evalua-
tion reports, onsite observation
Criterion 10.3. The Organization shall only use alien species when knowledge and/or experi-
ence have shown that any invasive impacts can be controlled and effective mitigation measures
are in place. (C6.9 and C10.8 P&C V4)
Indicator 10.3.1 Alien species* are used only when direct experience and/or the results of scien-
tific research demonstrate that invasive impacts can be controlled, and/or recommendations from
competent government authorities at federal, provincial and local levels is provided.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, monitoring reports, study reports, onsite observation
Indicator 10.3.2 Alien species* are used only when effective mitigation measures are in place to
control their spread outside the area in which they are established.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, forest management plan, monitoring report, annual plan, interview
with stakeholders, onsite observation
Indicator 10.3.3 The spread of invasive species* introduced by The Organization* is controlled
inside the forest management unit and the surrounding areas.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, , monitoring reports, interview with stake-
holders, onsite observation
Indicator 10.3.4 Management activities are implemented, preferably in cooperation with sepa-
rate regulatory bodies where these exist, with an aim to control the invasive impacts of alien
species* that were not introduced by The Organization*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual plan, monitoring reports, meeting minutes,
Note: The regulatory bodies include the government agencies, such as Department of Forests,
Department of Forest Research and Survey, and Department of Plant Resources and their re-
spective offices at local level

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Criterion 10.4 The Organization shall not use genetically modified organisms in the Manage-
ment Unit. (C6.8 P&C V4)
Indicator 10.4.1 Genetically modified organisms* are not used.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, onsite observation, interview with organization’s executives
Criterion 10.5 The Organization shall use silvicultural practices that are ecologically appropri-
ate for the vegetation, species, sites and management objectives. (new)
Indicator 10.5.1 Silvicultural practices are implemented that are ecologically appropriate for the
vegetation, species, sites and management objectives*.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, interview with organization’s executives,
interview with stakeholders, onsite observation
Note: For determining appropriate silvicultural prescriptions, The Organization* may refer the
silvicultural guidelines or manuals published by the government authorities or research organi-
zations.
Criterion 10.6. The Organization shall minimize or avoid the use of fertilizers. When fertilizers
are used, The Organization shall demonstrate that use is equally or more ecologically and eco-
nomically beneficial than use of silvicultural systems that do not require fertilizers, and prevent,
mitigate, and/or repair damage to environmental values, including soils. (C10.7 P&C V4 and
Motion 2014#7)
Indicator 10.6.1 The use of fertilizers* is minimized or avoided.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, monitoring records, fertilizer use records, interview with
stakeholders, onsite observation
Indicator 10.6.2 When fertilizers* are used, their ecological and economic benefits are equal to
or higher than those of silvicultural systems that do not require fertilizers*.
Verifiers: study report, records of ecological/economic benefits, monitoring and evaluation re-
ports, interview with stakeholders
Note: Analysis of benefit cost ratio should become the basis to determine whether ecological
and economic benefits are equal or higher than those of silvicultural systems that do not require
fertilizers.
Note for SLIMF: When fertilizers are used, benefit assessment may serve the basis for SLIMF
organization.
Indicator 10.6.3 When fertilizers* are used, their types, rates, frequencies and site of application
are documented.

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Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual report, meeting minutes, fertilizer use records, mon-
itoring reports
Indicator 10.6.4 When fertilizers* are used, environmental values* are protected, including
through implementation of measures to prevent damage.
Verifiers: Annual report, monitoring reports, records of measures implemented for protection of
environmental values, environmental impact assessment report
Indicator 10.6.5 Damage to environmental values* resulting from fertilizer* use is mitigated or
repaired.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, monitoring report, annual report, meeting minutes, interview
with stakeholders
Criterion 10.7 The Organization shall use integrated pest management and silviculture systems
which avoid, or aim at eliminating, the use of chemical pesticides. The Organization shall not
use any chemical pesticides prohibited by FSC policy. When pesticides are used, The Organi-
zation shall prevent, mitigate, and/or repair damage to environmental values and human health.
(C6.6 and C10.7 P&C V4)
Indicator 10.7.1 Integrated pest management, including selection of silviculture* systems, is
used to avoid, or aim to eliminate, the frequency, extent and amount of chemical pesticide*
applications, and result in non-use or overall reductions in applications.
Verifiers: forest management plan, meeting minutes, monitoring reports, interview with stake-
holders, onsite observation
Indicator 10.7.2 Chemical pesticides* prohibited by FSC’s Pesticide Policy are not used or
stored in the Management Unit* unless FSC has granted derogation.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, pesticide storage records, interview with organization’s ex-
ecutives, onsite observation, derogation letter from FSC
Indicator 10.7.3 Records of pesticide* usage are maintained, including trade name, active ingre-
dient, quantity of active ingredient used, period of use, location and area of use and reason for
use.
Verifiers: Annual report, records of purchase, storage and use pesticide, onsite observation,
meeting minutes, interview with organization’s executives
Indicator 10.7.4 The use of pesticides* complies with the ILO document “Safety in the use of
chemicals at work” regarding requirements for the transport, storage, handling, application and
emergency procedures for clean up following accidental spillages.

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Verifiers: Guideline for safety in the use of chemicals, records of pesticide purchase, storage
and use, interview with workers, interview with stakeholders
Note: The Organization* may refer the following two ILO guides while making its documented
procedure:
1. Safety & Health in the use of agrochemicals
2. Safety in the use of chemicals at work.
Indicator 10.7.5 If pesticides* are used, application methods minimize quantities used, while
achieving effective results, and provide effective protection* to surrounding landscapes*.
Verifiers: Monitoring reports, meeting minutes, annual report, interview with stakeholders
Indicator 10.7.6 Damage to environmental values* and human health from pesticide* use is
prevented and mitigated or repaired where damage occurs.
Verifiers: Monitoring reports, annual report, interviews with organization executives, interviews
with local communities
Indicator 10.7.7 When pesticides* are used:
1) The selected pesticide*, application method, timing and pattern of use offers the least risk to
humans and non-target species; and
2) Objective evidence demonstrates that the pesticide* is the only effective, practical and cost
effective way to control the pest.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, annual report, records of pesticide use , monitoring reports, inter-
view with workers, interview with organization’s executives
Criterion 10.8. The Organization shall minimize, monitor and strictly control the use of biolog-
ical control agents in accordance with internationally accepted scientific protocols. When bio-
logical control agents are used, The Organization shall prevent, mitigate, and/or repair damage
to environmental values. (C6.8 P&C V4)
Indicator 10.8.1 The use of biological control agents* is minimized, monitored* and controlled.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, protocol of using biological control agents, monitoring re-
port, meeting minutes
Indicator 10.8.2 Use of biological control agents* complies with internationally accepted scien-
tific protocols* and permission is taken from the concerned authority prior to using a biological
control agent.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, records of control measures, permission
letter, interview with workers, interview with organization’s executives
Note: Internationally accepted scientific protocols may include:

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1) FSC Guide to integrated pest, disease and weed management in FSC certified forests and
plantations (2009);
2) FAO Code of Conduct for the Import and Release of Exotic Biological Control.
Indicator 10.8.3 The use of biological control agents* is recorded including type, quantity, pe-
riod, location and reason for use.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, annual report, inputs record interview with organization’s execu-
tives
Indicator 10.8.4 Damage to environmental values* caused by the use of biological control
agents* is prevented and mitigated or repaired where damage occurs.
Verifiers: Monitoring reports, onsite observation, annual report
Criterion 10.9 The Organization shall assess risks and implement activities that reduce potential
negative impacts from natural hazards proportionate to scale, intensity, and risk. (new)
Indicator 10.9.1 Potential negative impacts of natural hazards*and human induced hazards*on
infrastructure*, forest* resources and communities in the Management Unit* are assessed.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, IEE/EIA report, annual plan, records of potential natural
hazards assessment report, interview with stakeholders, onsite observation
Note for SLIMF: Discussions and recording of potential hazards and their negative impacts in
organization’s executive committee meeting may fulfil the requirement.
Indicator 10.9.2 Management activities mitigate these impacts.
Verifiers: Annual report, monitoring reports, interview with organization’s executives
Indicator 10.9.3 The risk* for management activities to increase the frequency, distribution or
severity of natural hazards* is identified for those hazards* that may be influenced by manage-
ment.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, hazard assessment reports, interview with
stakeholders
Indicator 10.9.4 Management activities are modified and/or measures are developed and imple-
mented that reduce the identified risks*.
Verifiers: Annual plan, monitoring report, meeting minutes
Criterion 10.10 The Organization shall manage infrastructural development, transport activities
and silviculture so that water resources and soils are protected, and disturbance of and damage
to rare and threatened species, habitats, ecosystems and landscape values are prevented, miti-
gated and/or repaired. (C6.5 P&C V4)

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Indicator 10.10.1 Development, maintenance and use of infrastructure*, as well as transport

activities, are managed to protect environmental values* identified in Criterion* 6.1.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual plan, meeting minutes, monitoring reports, onsite
observation, interview with stakeholders
Indicator 10.10.2 Silviculture* activities are managed to ensure protection of the environmental
values* identified in Criterion* 6.1.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, annual plan, monitoring reports, onsite observation, inter-
view with workers, interview with stakeholders
Indicator 10.10.3 Disturbance or damages to water courses*, water bodies*, soils, rare and
threatened species*, habitats*, ecosystems* and landscape values* are prevented, mitigated and
repaired in a timely manner*, and management activities modified to prevent further damage.
Verifiers: Meeting minutes, interview with organization’s executives, monitoring reports, onsite
observation.
Criterion 10.11. The Organization shall manage activities associated with harvesting and ex-
traction of timber and non-timber forest products so that environmental values are conserved,
merchantable waste is reduced, and damage to other products and services is avoided. (C5.3 and
C6.5 P&C V4)
Indicator 10.11.1 Harvesting and extraction practices for timber and non-timber forest products*
are implemented in a manner that conserves environmental values* as identified in Criterion*
6.1.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, harvesting manual, meeting minutes, monitoring reports,
onsite observation, interview with workers
Indicator 10.11.2 Harvesting practices optimize the use of forest* products and merchantable
materials.
Verifiers: Annual report, meeting minutes, onsite observation, interview with stakeholders,
monitoring reports, interview with workers
Indicator 10.11.3 Sufficient amounts of dead and decaying biomass and forest* structure are
retained to conserve environmental values*.
Verifiers: Monitoring reports, interview with organization’s executives, onsite observation,
Indicator 10.11.4 Harvesting practices avoid damage to standing residual trees, residual woody
debris on the ground and other environmental values*.

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Verifiers: Monitoring reports, forest management plan, harvesting manual, onsite observation,
interview with workers
Criterion 10.12. The Organization shall dispose of waste materials in an environmentally ap-
propriate manner. (C6.7 P&C V4)
Indicator 10.12.1 Collection, clean up, transportation and disposal of all waste materials* is
done in an environmentally appropriate way that conserves environmental values* as identified
in Criterion* 6.1.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, annual report , monitoring reports, onsite
observation, interview with organization’s executives
Note: Waste products include:
1) Hazardous waste, including chemical waste and batteries;
2) Containers;
3) Rubbish including metals, plastics and paper;
4) Abandoned buildings, machinery and equipment; and
5) Domestic waste.

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10. Annexes

Annex A: List of applicable laws, regulations and nationally-ratified inter-

national treaties, conventions and agreements
Note: For the laws, regulations and nationally-ratified treaties, conventions and agreements without
a version number or invalid, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amend-
ments) applies.

1. Legal* rights to harvest

Legislation covering land tenure* rights, including customary rights* as well as
1.1 Land
tenure* and management rights, that includes the use of legal* methods to obtain tenure*
rights and management rights. it also covers legal* business registration and tax
manage-
ment rights registration including relevant legally required licences
Forest Act, 1993
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973
Environment Protection Act, 1996
Local Self Governance Act, 1998
Plant Protection Act, 2007
Aquatic Animal Protection Act, 1960
Adibasi Janajati Uthan Rastriya Pratisthan Ain, 2001 (2058 BS)
Forest Rules, 1995
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Rules, 1974
Environmental Protection Rules, 1997
Local Self Governance Regulation, 1999
Plant Protection Rules, 2010
Conservation Area Management Rules, 1996
Drinking Water Rules, 1998
National Wetland Policy, 2013
Leasehold Forest Policy, 2002
Forest Policy, 2015
Forest Sector Strategy, 2015
Rangeland Policy, 2010
Herbs and NTFP Development Policy, 2004
CBD 1992
UNDRIP and ILO 169

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1.2 Conces- Legislation regulating procedures for issuing forest* concession licenses, in-
sion licenses cluding the use of legal* methods to obtain concession licenses. Bribery, cor-
ruption and nepotism are particularly well known issues that are connected
with concession licenses.
Forest Act, 1993
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973
Environmental Protection Act, 1996
Environmental Protection Rules, 1997
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Rules, 1974
Forest Rules, 1995
1.3 Manage- Any national or sub-national legal* requirements for Management Planning,
ment and including conducting forest* inventories, having a forest* management plan*
harvesting and related planning and monitoring, impact assessments, consultation with
planning other entities, as well as approval of these by legally competent* authorities.
Guideline for Community Forestry Development Programme, 2015
Community Forest Inventory Guidelines, 2004
Scientific Forest Management Guidelines, 2015
Bufferzone Management Guidelines, 1999
Resin Collection Directive, 2007
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy, 2009
1.4 Harvesting National or sub-national laws and regulations regulating procedures for issu-
permits ing harvesting permits, licenses or other legal* documents required for spe-
cific harvesting operations. This includes the use of legal* methods to obtain
the permits. Corruption is a well-known issue that is connected with the issu-
ing of harvesting permits.
Forest Act, 1993
Resin Collection Directive, 2007
Orchid collection and cultivation procedures 2069 (BS)
Directives on forest products collection and sales-distribution from community forests (2071
BS)
Forest products collection, sales and distribution directives 2073 (BS)
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973
Environment Protection Act, 1996
Environmental Protection Rules, 1997
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Rules, 1974
Forest Rules, 1995
Conservation area management rules, 1996

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Buffer zone Management Guidelines, 1999

2. Taxes and fees
2.1 Payment of Legislation covering payment of all legally required forest* harvesting spe-
royalties and cific fees such as royalties, stumpage fees and other volume based fees. This
harvesting fees includes payments of the fees based on the correct classification of quantities,
qualities and species. Incorrect classification of forest* products is a well-
known issue that is often combined with bribery of officials in charge of con-
trolling the classification.
Forest Rules, 1995
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Rules, 1974
Environmental Protection Rules, 1997
Local Self Governance Regulation, 1999
Plant Protection Rules, 2010
Conservation Area Management Rules, 1996
Drinking Water Rules, 1998
Resin Collection Directive, 2007
Orchid collection and cultivation procedures, 2069 (BS)
Directives on forest products collection and sales-distribution from community forests, 2071
(BS)
Forest products collection, sales and distribution directives, 2073 (BS)
Forest Products Auction Procedure Directives, 2003
2.2 Value added Legislation covering different types of sales taxes which apply to the
taxes and other sales material being sold, including the sale of material as growing forest*
taxes (standing stock sales).
Value Added Tax Rules, 2053 (1996)
2.3 Income Legislation covering income and profit taxes related to profit derived from the
and profit sale of forest* products and harvesting activities. This category is also related
Taxes to income from the sale of timber and does not include other taxes generally
applicable for companies and is not related to salary payments.
N/A
3. Timber harvesting activities
3.1 Timber Any legal* requirements for harvesting techniques and technology including se-
harvesting lective cutting, shelter wood regenerations, clear felling, transport of timber from
regulations the felling site, seasonal limitations, etc. Typically this includes regulations on
the size of felling areas, minimum age and/or diameter for felling activities, and
elements that shall* be preserved during felling, etc. Establishment of skidding
or hauling trails, road construction, drainage systems and bridges, etc., shall*
also be considered as well as the planning and monitoring of harvesting activi-
ties. Any legally binding codes for harvesting practices shall* be considered.

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Community Forestry Guidelines, 2015

Resin Collection Directive, 2007
Directives on forest products collection and sales-distribution from community forests, 2071
(BS)
Forest products collection, sales and distribution directives, 2073 (BS)
Community Forest Inventory Guidelines, 2004
Scientific Forest Management Guidelines, 2015
Bufferzone Management Guidelines, 1999
Leasehold Forest Policy, 2002
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy, 2009
3.2 Pro- International, national, and sub national treaties, laws, and regulations related to
tected sites protected areas, allowable forest* uses and activities, and/or rare, threatened, or
and species endangered species, including their habitats* and potential habitats*.
United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
International Convention for the Protection of new Varieties of Plants
United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Control of Desertification
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Rules, 1974
Nepal Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2014
Plant Protection Rules, 2010
National Conservation Strategy, 1988
Conservation Area Management Rules, 1996
Forest Act, 1993
3.3 Environ- National and sub national laws and regulations related to the identification
mental and/or protection* of environmental values* including but not limited to those
Requirements relating to or affected by harvesting, acceptable levels for soil damage, estab-
lishment of buffer zones (e.g., along water courses, open areas and breeding
sites), maintenance of retention trees on the felling site, seasonal limitations
of harvesting time, environmental requirements for forest* machineries, use
of pesticides* and other chemicals, biodiversity conservation*, air quality,
protection* and restoration* of water quality, operation of recreational equip-
ment, development of non-forestry infrastructure*, mineral exploration and
extraction, etc.
Environment Protection Act, 1996
Environmental Protection Rules, 1997

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Climate Change policy, 2011

National Wetland Policy, 2013
Pesticide Act, 1992
Soil and Watershed Conservation Rules, 1985
Pesticides Regulation, 1994
Drinking Water Rules, 1998
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy, 2009
3.4 Health and Legally required personal protection* equipment for persons involved in har-
safety vesting activities, implementation of safe felling and transport practices, es-
tablishment of protection* zones around harvesting sites, safety requirements
for machinery used, and legally required safety requirements in relation to
chemical usage. The health and safety requirements that shall* be considered
relevant to operations in the forest* (not office work, or other activities less
related to actual forest* operations).
ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work, 1998
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 1998
29 Forced Labor Convention, 1930
98 Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
100 Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951
105 Abolition of Forced Labor Convention, 1957
111 Discrimination (Occupation and Employment) Convention, 1958
138 Minimum Age Convention, 1973
182 Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, 1999.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007
ILO Convention 169, 1989
ILO document “Safety in the use of chemicals at work”
Labor Act, 2017
3.5 Legal* Legal* requirements for employment of personnel involved in harvesting activ-
employment ities including requirements for contracts and working permits, requirements for
obligatory insurance, requirements for competence certificates and other train-
ing requirements, and payment of social and income taxes withheld by the em-
ployer. Also covered are the observance of minimum working age and mini-
mum age for personnel involved in hazardous work, legislation against forced
and compulsory labor, and discrimination and freedom of association.
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 1998
29 Forced Labor Convention, 1930

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100 Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951

105 Abolition of Forced Labor Convention, 1957
111 Discrimination (Occupation and Employment) Convention, 1958
138 Minimum Age Convention, 1973
182 Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, 1999.
Civil Servant Act, 1993 and its amendments
Labor Act, 2017
Trade Union Act, 1992
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy, 2009
4. The rights of third parties
4.1 Customary Legislation covering customary rights* relevant to forest* harvesting
rights* activities, including requirements covering the sharing of benefits and
indigenous rights.
Adibasi Janajati Uthan Rastriya Pratisthan Ain, 2058
REDD+ strategy, 2015
Forest sector strategy, 2015
Community forestry guideline, 2015
4.2 Free Prior and In- Legislation covering “free prior and informed consent” in connection
formed Consent* with the transfer of forest* management rights and customary rights*
to The Organization* in charge of the harvesting operation.
Community forestry guideline, 2015
REDD+ strategy, 2015
Conservation area management rules
United Nation Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
4.3 Indigenous Legislation that regulates the rights of Indigenous Peoples* as far as it
is related to forestry activities. Possible aspects to consider are land
Peoples’* rights
tenure*, and rights to use certain forest* related resources and practice
traditional activities, which may involve forest* lands.
Adibasi Janajati Uthan Rastriya Pratisthan Ain, 2001 (2058 BS)
ILO Convention 169, 1989
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007
United Nation Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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5. Trade and transport

NOTE: This section covers requirements for forest* management operations as well as
processing and trade.
5.1 Classification Legislation regulating how harvested material is classified in terms of
of species, quanti- species, volumes and qualities in connection with trade and transport. In-
ties, qualities correct classification of harvested material is a well-known method to
reduce or avoid payment of legally prescribed taxes and fees.
Resin Collection Directive 2007
Resin Collection Directive, 2007
Orchid collection and cultivation procedures, 2069 (BS)
Directives on forest products collection and sales-distribution from community forests, 2071
(BS)
Forest products collection, sales and distribution directives 2073 (BS)
Forest Products Auction Procedure Directives, 2003
Forest Act, 1993 and Forest Rules, 1995
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Rules, 1974
5.3 Offshore Legislation regulating offshore trading. Offshore trading with related compa-
trading and nies placed in tax havens, combined with artificial transfer prices is a well-
transfer pric- known way to avoid payment of legally prescribed taxes and fees to the coun-
ing try of harvest and is considered to be an important source of funds that can be
used for payment of bribery to the forest* operations and personnel involved
in the harvesting operation. Many countries have established legislation cov-
ering transfer pricing and offshore trading. It should* be noted that only trans-
fer pricing and offshore trading, as far as it is legally prohibited in the country,
can be included here.
Customs Act, 2007
Customs Regulation, 2007
5.5 CITES CITES permits (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention).
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Nepal Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2014
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973
Conservation Area Management Rules, 1996
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Rules, 1974
6. Due diligence / due care

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6.1 Due diligence / Legislation requiring due diligence/due care procedures, including,
due care procedures e.g., due diligence/due care systems, declaration obligations, and/or the
keeping of trade related documents, etc.
Specific legislation covering due diligence requirements does not exist.
7. Ecosystem Services
Legislation covering ecosystem services* rights, including customaryrights* as
well as management rights that include the use of legal*methods to make claims
and obtain benefits and management rights related to ecosystem services*. Na-
tional and sub-national laws and regulations related to the identification, protec-
tion and payment for ecosystem services*. Also includes legal* business registra-
tion and tax registration, including relevant legal* required licenses for the ex-
ploitation, payment, and claims related to ecosystem services*(including tourism).
Climate Change Policy, 2011
Forest Policy, 2015
Forestry Sector Strategy, 2015
Nepal Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2014
United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change
United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
National Adaptation Programme of Action, 2010
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy, 2009

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Annex B (1): Training requirements for workers

This list of training requirements is intended for those workers* with specific job responsibilities
related to the implementation of this standard. Workers* shall be able to:
1. Implement forest activities to comply with applicable legal requirements (Criterion 1.5);
2. Understand the content, meaning and applicability of the eight ILO Core Labor Con-
ventions (Criterion 2.1);
3. Recognize and report on instances of sexual harassment and gender discrimination (Cri-
terion 2.2);
4. Safely handle and dispose of hazardous substances to ensure that use does not pose
health risks (Criterion 2.3);
5. Carry out their responsibilities for particularly dangerous jobs or jobs entailing a special
responsibility (Criterion 2.5);
6. Identify where Indigenous Peoples have legal and customary rights related to manage-
ment activities (Criterion 3.2);
7. Identify and implement applicable elements of UNDRIP and ILO Convention 169 (Cri-
terion* 3.4);
8. Identify sites of special cultural, ecological, economic, religious or spiritual significance
to Indigenous Peoples and implement the necessary measures to protect them before the
start of forest management activities to avoid negative impacts (Criterion 3.5 and Crite-
rion 4.7);
9. Identify where local communities have legal and customary rights related to manage-
ment activities (Criterion 4.2);
10. Carry out social, economic and environmental impact assessments* and develop appro-
priate mitigation measures (Criterion* 4.5);
11. Implement activities related to the maintenance and/or enhancement of declared ecosys-
tem services* (Criterion* 5.1);
12. Handle, apply and store pesticides* (Criterion* 10.7); and
13. Implement procedures for cleaning up spills of waste materials* (Criterion* 10.12)

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Annex B (2): Personal protective equipment for workers

Source: ILO safety and health in forestry work, page 37

✓ means required to wear

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Annex B: Additional requirements for ecosystem services

I. General Indicators

1) A publicly available Ecosystem Services Certification Document is developed and includes:

I. A declaration of the ecosystem services for which a promotional claim is being or will be
made;
Verifiers: Ecosystem Service Certification Document (ESCD),
II. A description of the current condition of the declared ecosystem services;
Verifiers: ESCD, onsite observation
III. Legal tenure to manage, use and/or receive payments for declared ecosystem services;
Verifiers: ESCD, forest management plan
IV. Management objectives related to maintenance and/or enhancement of declared ecosystem
services;
Verifiers: ESCD, forest management plan, onsite observation
V. Verifiable targets related to maintenance and/or enhancement of declared ecosystem ser-
vices;
Verifiers: ESCD, forest management plan, onsite observation
VI. Management activities and strategies related to declared ecosystem services;
Verifiers: ESCD, forest management plan, onsite observation
VII. Areas within and outside of the Management Unit that contribute to the declared ecosystem
services;
Verifiers: ESCD, forest management plan, onsite observation, maps
VIII. Threats to the declared ecosystem services within and outside of the Management Unit;
Verifiers: ESCD, forest management plan, onsite observation, maps
IX. A description of management activities to reduce the threats to declared ecosystem services
within and outside of the Management Unit;
Verifiers: ESCD, forest management plan, onsite observations
X. A description of the methodology used to evaluate the impacts of management activities on
the declared ecosystem services within and outside of the Management Unit, based on the
FSC Procedure for Demonstrating the Impact of Forest Stewardship on Ecosystem Services;
Verifiers: ESCD, forest management plan, onsite observation, annual reports

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XI. A description of monitoring results related to the implementation of management activities

and strategies related to the maintenance and/or enhancement of declared ecosystem ser-
vices;
Verifiers: ESCD, onsite observations
XII. A description of results of the evaluation of impacts of activities and threats on the declared
ecosystem services;
Verifiers: ESCD, onsite observations
XIII. A list of communities and other organizations involved in activities related to the declared
ecosystem services; and
Verifiers: ESCD, onsite observations, stakeholder consultations, interview with organization’s
executives
XIV. A summary of culturally appropriate engagement with Indigenous Peoples and local com-
munities, related to the declared ecosystem services including ecosystem services access
and use, and benefit sharing, consistent with Principle 3 and Principle 4.
Verifiers: ESCD, onsite observations, stakeholder consultations, interview with representatives
of IPs
2) The results of the evaluation of impacts demonstrate that verifiable targets for the maintenance
and/or enhancement of the declared ecosystem services are met or exceeded; and
Verifiers: ESCD
3) The results of the evaluation of impacts demonstrate no negative impacts from management
activities on the declared ecosystem services within or outside of the Management Unit.
Verifiers: ESCD

II. Management indicators

For each specific declared ecosystem service, the following Management Indicators shall be used
as the basis for developing indicators at the national or regional level.
a) All services
1) Management indicators for all Ecosystem Services ensure:
i. Wetlands, savannahs or natural grasslands are not converted to plantations or any other land
use;
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps, interview with organization’s executives, onsite ob-
servation

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ii. Areas converted from wetlands, savannahs or natural grasslands to plantation since Novem-
ber 1994 are not certified, except where
a) The Organization provides clear and sufficient evidence that it was not directly or indi-
rectly responsible for the conversion; or
b) The conversion is producing clear, substantial, additional, secure, long-term conserva-
tion benefits in the Management Unit; and
c) The total area of plantation on sites converted since November 1994 is less than 5% of
the total area of the Management Unit.
Verifiers: Documentation provided to demonstrate the exception
iii. Knowledgeable experts independent of The Organization confirm the effectiveness of man-
agement strategies and actions to maintain and/or enhance the identified High Conservation
Value areas.
Verifiers: Interviews with forest managers, meeting minutes and records

b) Carbon Sequestration and Storage

1) In addition to requirements to maintain environmental values in Principle 6, and Principle

9 when promotional claims are made regarding carbon sequestration and storage, the fol-
lowing are demonstrated:
I. Forests are identified to be protected due to their carbon stocks, according to the
FSC Guidance for Maintaining and Enhancing Ecosystem Services.
Verifiers: Management plan, maps showing forests area and HCV
II. Management activities maintain, enhance or restore carbon storage in the forest; in-
cluding through forest protection and reduced impact logging practices for carbon,
as described in the FSC Guidance for Maintaining and Enhancing Ecosystem Ser-
vices.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, records, onsite observation
c) Biological Diversity Conservation
1) In addition to provisions to protect biological diversity in Principle 6 and Principle 9, when
promotional claims are made regarding biological diversity conservation, the following are
demonstrated:
i. Management activities maintain, enhance or restore:

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a. Rare and threatened species and their habitats, including through the provision
of conservation zones, protection areas, connectivity, and other direct means for
their survival and viability; and
b. Natural landscape-level characteristics, including forest* diversity, composition
and structure.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, map showing HCV areas, interview with organization’s exec-
utives

ii. The conservation area network, and conservation areas outside the Management
Unit:
a. Represents the full range of environmental values in the Management Unit;
b. Has sufficient size or functional connectivity, to support natural processes;
c. Contains the full range of habitats present for focal species and rare and threat-
ened species; and
d. Has sufficient size or functional connectivity with other suitable habitat to sup-
port viable populations of focal species including rare and threatened species*
in the region.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, interview with organization’s executives, meeting minutes and
records
iii. Knowledgeable experts independent of The Organization confirm the sufficiency of
the conservation area network.
Verifiers: Interview with organization’s executives, meeting minutes and records

d) Watershed Services

1) In addition to measures to protect water in Principle 6 and measures to reduce the impact
from natural hazards in Principle 10, where promotional claims are made regarding wa-
tershed services:
i. An assessment identifies:
a. Hydrological features and connections, including permanent and temporary water
bodies, watercourses, and aquifers;
b. Domestic water needs for Indigenous Peoples and local communities within and out-
side of the Management Unit that may be impacted by management activities;

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c. Areas of water stress and water scarcity; and

d. Consumption of water by The Organization and other users.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps showing water bodies, interview with organization’s ex-
ecutives
2) Measures are implemented to maintain, enhance or restore permanent and temporary water
bodies, watercourses, and aquifers;
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes and records
3) Chemicals, waste and sediment are not discharged into water bodies, watercourses or aqui-
fers; and
Verifiers: Forest management plan, interview with workers handling chemicals and waste, on-
site observation
4) Management activities and strategies respect universal access to water, as defined in the UN
resolution on the human right to water and sanitation
Verifiers: Forest management plan, interview with organization’s executives, interview with
local communities
e) Soil Conservation
1) In addition to measures related to soil in Principle6 and Principle 10, where promotional claims
are made regarding soil conservation, the following are demonstrated:
i. Vulnerable or high risk soils are identified, including thin soils, soils with poor drainage and
subject to water logging, and soils prone to compaction, erosion, instability and run-off;
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps showing landslide and soil erosion prone areas, inter-
view with organization’s executives
ii. Measures are implemented to reduce compaction, erosion and landslides;
Verifiers: Forest management plan, onsite observation
iii. Management activities maintain, enhance or restore soil fertility and stability; and
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes and records, onsite observation
iv. Chemicals and waste are not discharged into soil.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, interview with workers on handling chemicals and waste,
onsite observation

f) Recreational Services

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1) In addition to measures to assess, prevent, and mitigate negative impacts of management

activities on social values identified in Principle 2 to Principle 5 and Principle 9, where
promotional claims are made regarding recreational services, the following are demon-
strated:
i. Measures are implemented to maintain, enhance or restore:
a) Areas of importance for recreation and tourism including site attractions, archaeologi-
cal sites, trails, areas of high visual quality and areas of cultural or historical interest;
and
b) Populations of species that are a tourist attraction.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, maps showing potential areas for recreation and tourism, inter-
view with organization’s executives,onsite observation
ii. The rights, customs and culture of Indigenous Peoples and local communities are not vio-
lated by tourism activities;
Verifiers: Forest management plan, interview with indigenous peoples, interview with local
communities
iii. In addition to health and safety practices in Criterion 2.3, practices are implemented to
protect the health and safety of tourism customers;
Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes and records, interview with organization’s
executives, interview with tourists, onsite observation
iv. Health and safety plans and accident rates are publicly available in recreational areas and
areas of interest to the tourism sector; and
Verifiers: Records of accidents, interview with organization’s executives, interview with re-
sponsible person for H&S of tourists
v. A summary is provided of activities that demonstrate prevention of discrimination based
on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
Verifiers: Forest management plan, interviews with local communities, meeting minutes and
records

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Annex C: Conservation area network* conceptual diagram

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STANDARD DEVELOPERS:

Standard Developers shall* use this diagram to inform the development of appropriate guidance at
the national and regional level for the creation of Conservation Area Networks*.
The diagram shows how the area of the Management Unit* included in the Conservation Area
Network* is generally expected to increase from the 10% minimum as the size, intensity* of man-
agement, and/or the status and value of ecosystems* at the landscape* level each increase. The
arrows and their direction represent these increases.

The far right column titled ‘Ecosystems* Status/Value in the Landscape*’ signifies the extent to
which native ecosystems* are protected at the landscape* level and the relative requirements for
further protection* in the Management Unit*.

The far left column titled ‘Area of Management Unit*’ shows that as the Management Unit* area
increases, the Management Unit* will itself be at the landscape* level and so will be expected to
have a Conservation Area Network* containing functional examples of all of the naturally occur-
ring ecosystems* for that landscape*.

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Annex D: Elements of the management plan

1. The results of assessments, including:
i. Natural resources including timber and NTFPs, and environmental values, as identified
in Principle 6 and Principle 9;
ii. Social, economic and cultural resources and condition, as identified in Principle 6, Prin-
ciple 2 to Principle 5 and Principle 9;
iii. Major social and environmental risks in the area, as identified in Principle 6, Principle
2 to Principle 5 and Principle 9; and
iv. The maintenance and/or enhancement of ecosystem services for which promotional
claims are made as identified in Criterion 5.1 and Annex C.
2. Programs and activities regarding:
i. Workers’ rights, occupational health and safety, gender equality, as identified in Prin-
ciple 2;
ii. Indigenous Peoples, community relations, local economic and social development, as
identified in Principle 3, Principle 4 and Principle 5;
iii. Stakeholder engagement and the resolution of disputes and grievances, as identified
in Principle 1, Principle 2 and Principle 7;
iv. Planned management activities and timelines, silvicultural systems used, typical har-
vesting methods and equipment for timber and NTFPs, as identified in Principle 10;
v. The rationale for harvesting rates of timber, NTFPs and other natural resources, as
identified in Principle 5.
3. Measures to conserve and/or restore:
i. Rare and threatened species and habitats;
ii. Water bodies and riparian zones;
iii. Landscape connectivity, including wildlife corridors;
iv. Declared ecosystem services as identified in Criterion 5.1, and Annex C;
v. Representative Sample Areas, as identified in Principle 6; and
vi. High Conservation Values, as identified in Principle 9.
4. Measures to assess, prevent, and mitigate negative impacts of management activities on:
i. Environmental values, as identified in Principle 6 and Principle 9;
ii. Declared Ecosystem services as identified in Criterion 5.1 and Annex C;
iii. Social Values, as identified in Principle 2 to Principle 5 and Principle 9.

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5. A description of the monitoring program, as identified in Principle 8, including:

i. Growth and yield of timber and NTFP species, as identified in Principle 5;
ii. Declared Ecosystem services as identified in Criterion 5.1 and Annex C;
iii. Environmental values, as identified in Principle 6
iv. Operational impacts, as identified in Principle 10;
v. High Conservation Values, as identified in Principle 9;
vi. Monitoring systems based on stakeholder engagement planned or in place, as identified
in Principle 2 to Principle 5 and Principle 7;
vii. Maps describing the natural resources and land use zoning on the Management Unit.

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Annex E: Monitoring requirements

1. Monitoring in 8.2.1 is sufficient to identify and describe the environmental impacts of manage-
ment activities, including where applicable:
i. The results of regeneration activities (Criterion 10.1);
ii. The use of ecologically well adapted species for regeneration (Criterion 10.2);
iii. Invasiveness or other adverse impacts associated with any alien species within and
outside the Management Unit (Criterion 10.3);
iv. The use of genetically modified organisms to confirm that they are not being used
(Criterion 10.4);
v. The results of silvicultural activities (Criterion 10.5);
vi. Adverse impacts to environmental values from fertilizers (Criterion 10.6);
vii. Adverse impacts from the use of pesticides (Criterion 10.7);
viii. Adverse impacts from the use of biological control agents (Criterion 10.8);
ix. The impacts from natural hazards (Criterion 10.9);
x. The impacts of infrastructural development, transport activities and silviculture to rare
and threatened species, habitats, ecosystems, landscape values, water and soils(Crite-
rion 10.10);
xi. The impacts of harvesting and extraction of timber on non-timber forest products, en-
vironmental values, merchantable wood waste and other products and services (Crite-
rion 10.11); and
xii. Environmentally appropriate disposal of waste materials (Criterion* 10.12).

2. Monitoring in 8.2.1 is sufficient to identify and describe social impacts of management activi-
ties, including where applicable:
i. Evidence of illegal or unauthorized activities (Criterion 1.4);
ii. Compliance with applicable laws, local laws, ratified international conventions and
obligatory codes of practice (Criterion 1.5);
iii. Resolution of disputes and grievances (Criterion 1.6, Criterion 2.6, Criterion 4.6);
iv. Programs and activities regarding workers’ rights (Criterion 2.1);
v. Gender equality, sexual harassment and gender discrimination (Criterion 2.2);
vi. Programs and activities regarding occupational health and safety (Criterion 2.3);
vii. Payment of wages (Criterion 2.4);

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viii. Workers’ training (Criterion 2.5);

ix. Where pesticides are used, the health of workers exposed to pesticides (Criterion 2.5
and Criterion 10.7);
x. The identification of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and their legal and
customary rights (Criterion 3.1 and Criterion 4.1);
xi. Full implementation of the terms in binding agreements (Criterion 3.2 and Criterion
4.2);
xii. Indigenous Peoples and community relations (Criterion 3.2, Criterion 3.3 and Crite-
rion 4.2);
xiii. Protection of sites of special cultural, ecological, economic, religious or spiritual sig-
nificance to Indigenous Peoples and local communities (Criterion 3.5 and Criterion
4.7);
xiv. The use of traditional knowledge and intellectual property (Criterion 3.6 and Criterion
4.8);
xv. Local economic and social development (Criterion 4.2, Criterion 4.3, Criterion 4.4,
Criterion 4.5);
xvi. The production of diversified benefits and/or products (Criterion 5.1);
xvii. The maintenance and/or enhancement of ecosystem services (Criterion 5,1);
xviii. Activities to maintain or enhance ecosystem services (Criterion 5.1);
xix. Actual compared to projected annual harvests of timber and non-timber forest prod-
ucts (Criterion 5.2);
xx. The use of local processing, local services and local value added manufacturing (Cri-
terion 5.4);
xxi. Long term economic viability (Criterion 5.5); and
xxii. High Conservation Values 5 and 6 identified in Criterion 9.1.
3. Monitoring procedures in 8.2.2 are sufficient to identify and describe changes in environmental
conditions including where applicable:
i. The maintenance and/or enhancement of ecosystem services (Criterion 5.2) (when The
Organization makes FSC promotional claims regarding the provision of ecosystem ser-
vices, or receives payment for the provision of ecosystem services);

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ii. Environmental values and ecosystem functions including carbon sequestration and
storage (Criterion* 6.1); including the effectiveness of actions identified and imple-
mented to prevent, mitigate and repair negative impacts to environmental values (Cri-
terion 6.3);
iii. Rare and threatened species, and the effectiveness of actions implemented to protect
them and their habitats(Criterion 6.4);
iv. Representative sample areas and the effectiveness of actions implemented to conserve
and/or restore them (Criterion 6.5);
v. Naturally occurring native species and biological diversity and the effectiveness of ac-
tions implemented to conserve and/or restore them (Criterion 6.6);
vi. Water courses, water bodies, water quantity and water quality and the effectiveness of
actions implemented to conserve and/or restore them (Criterion 6.7);
vii. Landscape values and the effectiveness of actions implemented to maintain and/or re-
store them (Criterion 6.8);
viii. Conversion of natural forest to plantations or conversion to non-forest (Criterion 6.9);
ix. The status of plantations established after 1994 (Criterion 6.10); and
x. High Conservation Values 1 to 4 identified in Criterion 9.1 and the effectiveness of
actions implemented to maintain and/or enhance them.

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Annex F: Strategies for maintaining high conservation values

Strategies for maintaining High Conservation Values may not necessarily preclude harvesting.
However, the only way to maintain some High Conservation Values will be through protection of
the High Conservation Value Area that supports them.

HCV 1 – Protection zones, harvest prescriptions, and/or other strategies to protect threatened, en-
dangered, endemic species, or other concentrations of biological diversity and the ecological com-
munities and habitats upon which they depend, sufficient to prevent reductions in the extent, integ-
rity, quality, and viability of the habitats and species occurrences. Where enhancement is identified
as the objective, measures to develop, expand, and/or restore habitats for such species are in place.

HCV 2 – Strategies that fully maintain the extent and intactness of the forest ecosystems and the
viability of their biodiversity concentrations, including plant and animal indicator species, keystone
species, and/or guilds associated with large intact natural forest ecosystems. Examples include pro-
tection zones and set-aside areas, with any commercial activity in areas that are not set-aside being
limited to low-intensity operations that fully maintain forest structure, composition, regeneration,
and disturbance patterns at all times. Where enhancement is identified as the objective, measures
to restore and reconnect forest ecosystems, their intactness, and habitats that support natural bio-
logical diversity are in place.

HCV 3 – Strategies that fully maintain the extent and integrity of rare or threatened ecosystems,
habitats, or refugia. Where enhancement is identified as the objective, measures to restore and/or
develop rare or threatened ecosystems, habitats, or refugia are in place.

HCV 4 – Strategies to protect any water catchments of importance to local communities located
within or downstream of the Management Unit, and areas within the unit that are particularly un-
stable or susceptible to erosion. Examples may include protection zones, harvest prescriptions,
chemical use restrictions, and/or prescriptions for road construction and maintenance, to protect
water catchments and upstream and upslope areas. Where enhancement is identified as the objec-
tive, measures to restore water quality and quantity are in place. Where identified HCV 4 ecosystem

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services include climate regulation, strategies to maintain or enhance carbon sequestration and stor-
age are in place.

HCV 5 – Strategies to protect the community’s and/or Indigenous Peoples’ needs in relation to the
Management Unit are developed in cooperation with representatives and members of local com-
munities and Indigenous Peoples.

HCV 6 – Strategies to protect the cultural values are developed in cooperation with representatives
and members of local communities and Indigenous Peoples.

HCV Framework (To be developed-under progress)

HCV 1 – Species diversity. Concentrations of biological diversity*including endemic

species, and rare*, threatened* or endangered species, that are significant* at global,
regional or national levels.
Identification of HCV1
1. Description of Best Available Information in the country for identifying HCV1:
2. Description of interested and affected stakeholders:
3. Description of culturally appropriate engagement for identifying HCVs:
4. Examples of rare/threatened / endangered species in the country
5. Geographic areas where HCV1 is likely present:
6. Maps of HCV1 areas in the country:
7. Threats to HCV1 areas in the country:

Strategies for maintaining HCV 1

1. Protection zones, harvest prescriptions, and/or other strategies to protect threatened, endan-
gered, endemic species, or other concentrations of biological diversity* and the ecological
communities and habitats* upon which they depend, sufficient to prevent reductions in the
extent, integrity, quality, and viability of the habitats* and species occurrences.
2. Where enhancement is identified as the objective*, measures to develop, expand,
and/or restore* habitats* for such species are in place.

Monitoring HCV1

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HCV 2 – Landscape*-level ecosystems* and mosaics. Intact forest landscapes and large
landscape*-level ecosystems* and ecosystem* mosaics that are significant* at global, re-
gional or national levels, and that contain viable populations of the great majority of the
naturally occurring species in natural patterns of distribution and abundance.

Identification of HCV2
1. Description of Best Available Information in the country for identifying HCV2:
2. Description of interested and affected stakeholders:
3. Examples of HCV2 areas in the country:
4. Geographic areas where IFLs or other types of HCV2 is likely present:
5. Maps of HCV2 areas in the country:
6. Threats to HCV2 areas in the country:

Strategies for maintaining HCV 2

1. Strategies that fully maintain the extent and intactness of the forest*ecosystems* and the
viability of their biodiversity concentrations, including plant and animal indicator species,
keystone species, and/or guilds associated with large intact natural forest* ecosystems*.
2. Examples include protection* zones and set-aside areas, with any commercial activity
in areas that are not set-aside being limited to low-intensity* operations that fully main-
tain forest* structure, composition, regeneration, and disturbance patterns at all times.
3. Where enhancement is identified as the objective*, measures to restore*and reconnect
forest* ecosystems*, their intactness, and habitats* that support natural biological diver-
sity* are in place
4. The core area of each Intact Forest Landscape* within the Management Unit* is pro-
tected, comprising at least 80% of the Intact Forest Landscapes* within the Management
Unit* (Motion 65, GA2014).
Monitoring HCV2

HCV3 – Ecosystems* and habitats*. Rare*, threatened*, or endangered ecosystems*, hab-

itats* or refugia*.

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Identification of HCV3
1. Description of Best Available Information in the country for identifying HCV3:
2. Description of Interested and affected stakeholders:
3. Examples of HCV3 ecosystems and habitats in the country:
4. Geographic areas where HCV3 is likely present:
5. Maps of HCV3 areas in the country:
6. Threats to HCV3 areas in the country:

Strategies for maintaining HCV3

1. Strategies that fully maintain the extent and integrity of rare or threatened ecosystems*,
habitats*, or refugia*.
2. Where enhancement is identified as the objective*, measures to restore*and/or develop rare
or threatened ecosystems*, habitats*, or refugia* are in place.

Monitoring HCV 3
HCV4 – Critical* ecosystem services*. Basic ecosystem services* in critical* situations,
including protection* of water catchments and control of erosion of vulnerable soils and
slopes.
Identification of HCV4
1. Description of Best Available Information in the country for identifying HCV4:
2. Description of Interested and affected stakeholders:
3. Examples of HCV4 ecosystems and habitats in the country:
4. Geographic areas where HCV4 is likely present:
5. Maps of HCV4 areas in the country:
6. Threats to HCV4 areas in the country:

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Strategies for maintaining HCV 4

1. Strategies to protect any water catchments of importance to local communities* located
within or downstream of the Management Unit*, and areas within the unit that are partic-
ularly unstable or susceptible to erosion.
2. Examples may include protection* zones, harvest prescriptions, chemical use re-
strictions, and/or prescriptions for road construction and maintenance, to protect water
catchments and upstream and upslope areas.
3. Where enhancement is identified as the objective*, measures to restore* water quality
and quantity are in place.
4. Where identified HCV 4 ecosystem services* include climate regulation, strategies to
maintain or enhance carbon sequestration and storage are in place.
Monitoring HCV 4
HCV5 – Community needs. Sites and resources fundamental for satisfying the basic ne-
cessities of local communities* or Indigenous Peoples*(for livelihoods, health, nutrition,
water, etc.), identified through engagement*with these communities or Indigenous Peo-
ples.

Identification of HCV 5
1. Description of Best Available Information in the country for identifyingHCV5:
2. Description of Interested and affected stakeholders:
3. Examples of HCV5 sites and resources fundamental for local communities in the coun-
try:
4. Geographic areas where HCV5 is likely present:
5. Maps of HCV5 areas in the country:
6. Threats to HCV5 areas in the country:

Strategies for maintaining HCV5

1) Strategies to protect the community’s and/or Indigenous Peoples’* needsin relation to the
Management Unit* are developed in cooperation with representatives and members of
local communities* and Indigenous Peoples*.
Monitoring HCV5

HCV 6 – Cultural values. Sites, resources, habitats* and landscapes* of global or national
cultural, archaeological or historical significance, and/or of critical* cultural, ecological,
economic or religious/sacred importance for the traditional cultures of local communi-
ties* or Indigenous Peoples, identified through engagement* with these local communi-
ties* or Indigenous Peoples.

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Identification of HCV6
1. Description of Best Available Information in the country for identifyingHCV6:
2. Description of Interested and affected stakeholders:
3. Examples of HCV6 significant cultural values in the country:
4. Geographic areas where HCV6 is likely present:
5. Maps of HCV6 areas in the country:
6. Threats to HCV6 areas in the country:

Strategies for maintaining HCV6

1) Strategies to protect the cultural values are developed in cooperation with representatives
and members of local communities* and Indigenous Peoples*.
Monitoring HCV6

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Annex G: List of rare, threatened and endangered species in the country

or region
A. Fauna
Scientific Name Common Eng- Local Name IUCN CITES Ap- National
lish Name Red pendix Sta- Conserva-
List tus tion Status
Status as per
NPWC Act
1973 of Ne-
pal
Mammals
Macaca assamen- Assam Macaque Asami Rato VU II Protected
sis Bandar
Manis pen- Chinese Pango- Kalo Salak EN II Protected
tadactyla lin
Manis crassi- Indian Pangolin Tame Salak EN II Protected
caudata
Caprolagus hispi- Hispid Hare Laghukarna EN I Protected
dus Kharayo
Canis lupus Grey Wolf Bwanso CR I Protected
Ursus arctos Brown Bear Himali Rato CR I Protected
Bhalu
Ailurus fulgens Red Panda Habre EN I Protected
Prionodonpardi- Spotted Linsang Silu Biralo EN
color
Felis bengalensis Leopard Cat Chari Bagh I Protected
(Prionailurus ben- VU
galensis)
Felis lynx (Lynx Lynx Pahan Biralo VU II Protected
lynx)
Neofelis nebulosiClouded Leop- Dwanse EN I Protected
ard Chituwa
Panthera tigris Royal Bengal Pate Bagh EN I Protected
Tiger
Panthera uncia Snow Leopard EN I Protected
(Uncia uncial) Hiun Chituwa
Elephas maximus Asian Elephant Hatti EN I Protected
Rhinoceros uni- Greater One- Gainda EN I Protected
cornis horned Rhino
Sus salvanius Pygmy Hog Pudke Bandel RE I Protected
Moschus chryso- Alpine Musk Kasturi Mriga EN I Protected
gaster Deer
Cervus duvauceli Swamp Deer Bahrasingha EN I Protected
Bos gaurus Gaur Gauri Gai VU I Protected
Bos grunniens Wild Yak Chauri Gai I Protected

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Bubalus arnee Wild Water Buf- Arna EN III Protected

falo
Ovis ammon Great Tibetan Nayan DD I Protected
Sheep
Pantholops hodg- Tibetan Ante- Chiru DD I Protected
soni lope
Antilope cervi- Blackbuck Krishnasar CR III Protected
capra
Tetraceros quad- Four-horned An- Chauka DD III Protected
ricornis telope
Hyaena hyaena Striped Hyaena Hundar EN Protected
Platanista ganget- South Asian Shons CR I Protected
ica River Dolphin
Birds
Buceros bicornis Giant Hornbill Raj Dhanes R I Protected
Catreus wallichii Cheer Pheasant Cheer R I Protected
Houbaropsis ben- Bengal Florican Khar Mayur R I Protected
galensis
(Eupodotis ben-
galensis)
Lophophorus Impeyon Pheas- Danphe I Protected
impejanus ant
Ciconia nigra Black Stork Kalo Bhundi- II Protected
phor
Ciconia ciconia White Stork Seto Bhundi- I Protected
phor
Tropan satyra Crimson-horned Munal R III Protected
Pheasant
Sypheotides in- Lesser Florican Sano Khar R Protected
dica Mayur II
(Eupodotisindica)
Grus antigona Saras Crane Saras R II Protected
Reptiles
Gavialis ganget- Gharial Croco- Gharial Gohi I Protected
icus dile
Python molurus Asiatic Rock Py- Ajingar I Protected
thon
Varanus fla- Golden Monitor Sun Gohoro I Protected
vescens Lizard

B. Flora
Scientific Name Common English Local Name IUCN CITES Appen-
Name Red List dix Status
Status
Species Banned for Collection, Use, Sale, Distribution, Transportation and Export
Angiosperms

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Juglans regia Walnut Okhar

Orchis latifolia Orchid Panchaunle
Piccrohiza kurroa Gentian Kutki II
Species Banned for Export Except for Processed with Permission of Department of Forests
Angiosperms
Cinnamomum glau- Sugan-
cescens dakokila
Cordyceps sinensiss Yarsagumba
Rauvolfia serpentina Serpentine Sarpagandha VU II
Nardostachys grandi- Spikenard Jatamansi
flora
Valeriana jatamansii Valerian Sugandhawal
Gymnosperms
Abies spectabilis Himalayan silver fir Talis Patra NT
Taxus buccata Himalayan yew Loth salla EN II
Taxus wallichiana East Himalayan
yew
Taxus contorta West Himalayan
yew
Taxus mairei Himalayan yew
Bryophyte
Parmelia spp. Lichen Jhyau
Species Banned for Harvest, Transportation and Export for Commercial Purposes (Note: it is
not applicable in case of the dead, dying and diseased trees extracted as mentioned in forest
management plan; trees harvested according to the approved forest management plans (from
concerned authority); and trees harvested under national priority projects.
Angiosperms
Acacia catechu Cutch tree Khayer
Bombax ceiba Silk cotton tree Simal
Dalbergia latifolia Rose wood Satisal VU
Michellia champaca Magnolia Champ
Pterocarpus marsupium Indian kino tree Bijaysal
Shorea robusta Common sal Sal

Note: IUCN Red List status - CR= Critical Endangered, DD= Data deficiencies, EN= Endan-
gered, VU=Vulnerable, R= Rare, NT= Near threatened; NPWC = National Park and Wildlife
Conservation; CITES Appendix Status, I=List of species that are the most endangered among
CITES-listed animals and plants, II=List of species that are not necessarily now threatened with
extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled and III=List of species in-
cluded at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the coop-
eration of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation. Forest managers can have
an updated CITES listed plants and wild animals every year from the Department of National Park
and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC).

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Annex H: Guidance documents for SLIMF organizations

FSC Briefing Note1: Group Certification
https://www.ifa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/FSC-Group-Certification.pdf ; or
www.proforest.net/proforest/en/files/smallholders-20briefing-20notes-20and-20case-20stud-
ies.pdf
FSC Briefing Note 2: Assessment of Environmental Impacts
www.proforest.net/proforest/en/files/smallholders-20briefing-20notes-20and-20case-20stud-
ies.pdf

FSC Briefing Note 3: Evaluating and Monitoring Social Impacts

www.proforest.net/proforest/en/files/smallholders-20briefing-20notes-20and-20case-20stud-
ies.pdf
FSC Briefing Note 4: High Conservation Values
www.proforest.net/proforest/en/files/smallholders-20briefing-20notes-20and-20case-20stud-
ies.pdf
FSC Briefing Note 5: Simply monitoring
https://www.hcvnetwork.org/resources/folder.2006-09-29.6584228415/Simple_Monitoring_brief-
ing_note_high_res.pdf
https://www.hcvnetwork.org/resources/folder.2006-09-29.6584228415/simple_monitoring_Ne-
pali__7_1_09_open.pdf ; or
www.proforest.net/proforest/en/files/smallholders-20briefing-20notes-20and-20case-20stud-
ies.pdf
FSC step-by-step guide: Good practice guide to meeting FSC certification requirements for biodi-
versity and High Conservation Value Forests in Small and Low Intensity Managed Forests
(SLIMFs)
https://www.hcvnetwork.org/resources/folder.2006-09-29.6584228415/Step-by-
step_pocket_guide-EN.pdf
Certification of Community Managed Forests
http://www.ansab.org/publication/certification-of-community-managed-forests/
Link for other relevant documents
https://ic.fsc.org/en/for-business/fsc-tools/certifying-small-forests

Links for NTFPs inventory

http://dof.gov.np/image/data/download/Forest_Act_Regulations/NTFP%20Guidline_Last%20Fi-
nal_SGOP_Leaout_new.pdf
http://www.ansab.org/publication/participatory-inventory-of-non-timber-forest-products/

Sustainable harvesting of NTFPs

http://dpr.gov.np/publications/30-herbs-book/
http://dpr.gov.np/publications/gap-for-medicinal-and-aromatic-plants/
https://demo.smartpanda.tech/dpr/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Jadibuti-Parichaya-Mala.pdf

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Annex J: Additional requirements for non-timber forest products

(NTFPs) listed in Table 1

The Organization shall additionally comply with the following indicators to qualify for FSC cer-
tification of sustainable non-timber forest products (NTFPs)* management:

Criterion 1.3.The Organization shall have legal rights to operate in the Management Unit,
which fit the legal status of The Organization and of the Management Unit, and shall comply
with the associated legal obligations in applicable national and local laws and regulations
and administrative requirements. The legal rights shall provide for harvest of products
and/or supply of ecosystem services from within the Management Unit. The Organization
shall pay the legally prescribed charges associated with such rights and obligations. (C1.1,
1.2, 1.3 P&C V4)

1.3.1 The Organization* demonstrates a record of compliance with federal, provincial/state, and
local laws and regulations related to the collection/harvesting and processing of non-timber forest
products*.

Verifiers: Forest Management plan, interview with stakeholders, onsite observation

1.3.2 The Organization* maintains up-to-date harvesting permits, collecting licenses, collecting
contracts or cultivation permits and duly pays any fees, leases, and royalties related to non-timber
forest products*.

Verifiers: Records of payments of royalties, taxes and fees

Criterion 1.5. The Organization shall comply with the applicable national laws, local laws,
ratified international conventions and obligatory codes of practice, relating to the transpor-
tation and trade of forest products within and from the Management Unit, and/or up to the
point of first sale. (C1.3 P&C V4)

1.5.1 The Organization* complies with applicable international agreements such as CITES, ILO
conventions, CBD and Nagoya protocol etc. while harvesting, transporting and trading in non-
timber forest products*.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan

1.5.2 The non-timber forest products* listed in CITES Appendix I are not harvested.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, harvest records, interview with stakeholders, interview with
organizations

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Note: The list of CITES plant species has been provided in Annex H (B).

Criterion 2.3.The Organization shall implement health and safety practices to protect work-
ers from occupational safety and health hazards. These practices shall, proportionate to
scale, intensity and risk of management activities, meet or exceed the recommendations of
the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work. (C4.2 P&C V4)

2.3.1 The Organization* ensures that non-timber forest products* harvesting and processing meth-
ods and facilities are safe and have sanitary facilities for workers*, based on the requirements of
Indicator 2.3.1 of this standard.

Verifiers: Health and safety provision in organization’s policy documents, onsite observation of
health and safety equipment, records of health and safety training, records of health care services
to workers, interview with workers

Note for SLIMF: In absence of the organizational policy document, the health and safety require-
ments for the forest work and practices are known to the workers and commensurate with the
nature of the job.

2.3.2 Workers* are aware of the health and safety requirements for the non-timber forest products*
work and practices.

Verifiers: Training records, meeting minutes, interview with workers

2.3.3 Workers* use safety equipment that is appropriate to their tasks.

Verifiers: Meeting minutes, onsite observation, interview with workers

Note for SLIMF: The equipment given in Annex B-2 can be substituted by appropriate locally
available materials which fulfil the specific safety requirement. Appropriate locally available ma-
terials may differ based on geography and socio-economic conditions, but fulfil the specific safety
requirements.

Criterion 2.5 The Organization shall demonstrate that workers have job-specific training
and supervision to safely and effectively implement the Management Plan and all manage-
ment activities. (C7.3 P&C V4)

2.5.1 Non-timber forest products* harvesters receive information, training and/or supervision, en-
suring that the management plan* is implemented in the field.

Verifiers: Monitoring record, meeting minutes, interview with harvesters

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Criterion 5.1. The Organization shall identify, produce, or enable the production of, diversi-
fied benefits and/or products, based on the range of resources and ecosystem services existing
in the Management Unit in order to strengthen and diversify the local economy proportion-
ate to the scale and intensity of management activities. (C5.2 and 5.4 P&C V4).

5.1.1 The Organization* identifies non-timber forest products* species that could strengthen and
diversify the local economy.

Verifiers: Meeting minutes, Forest Management Plan

Note: The list of non-timber forest products with high potential for harvesting and trade is provided
in Table 1 of this Annex.

5.1.2 The Organization* promotes non-timber forest products* harvesting, processing, product
diversification at local level and exploration of new markets for the products.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, Meeting minutes and decisions

Criterion 5.2 The Organization shall normally harvest products and services from the Man-
agement Unit at or below a level which can be permanently sustained. (C5.6 P&C V4)

5.2.1 Non-timber forest products* harvest levels are based on an analysis of current Best Available
Information* on growth and yield.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, harvesting plan

Note: Best available information includes but not limited to:

• Publication of Department of Forest (DoF): NTFP resource inventory guideline (2069 BS)
• Publication by Department of Plant Resources (DPR): i) Good Agriculture and Collection Prac-
tices for medicinal plants (MAPs) (2018)
• Publication of ANSAB: i) participatory inventory guideline (2010) ii) individual booklets re-
garding the sustainable harvesting of NTFPs (2065 BS), and iii) Harvesting, processing and
marketing of 6 Medicinal Aromatic Plants (MAPs) species (2018)
• Publication on NTFPs by others third parties, if any, for instance non-government or research
organizations, individual researchers and experts
• Consultation with local communities, indigenous communities, and key informants.

5.2.2 Based on the non-timber forest products* harvesting level* analysis, a maximum allowable
annual cut for non-timber forest products* is determined that does not exceed the harvest level
that can be permanently sustained including by ensuring that harvest rates do not exceed growth.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, harvesting plan

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Note: The Organizations* can use the harvesting season and annual allowable harvest rate for
selected NTFP species as given in Table 1 of this Annex.

5.2.3 Actual annual harvest levels for non-timber forest products* are recorded and the harvest
over a defined period does not exceed the allowable cut determined in 5.2.2 for the same defined
period.

Verifiers: harvest record, interview with harvesters, onsite observation

5.2.4 For extraction of commercially harvested non-timber forest products* under The Organiza-
tion’s* control a sustainable harvest level is calculated and adhered to. Sustainable harvest levels
are based on Best Available Information*.

Note: Best available information includes but not limited to:

• Publication by Department of Plant Resources (DPR): i) Good Agriculture and Collection
Practices for medicinal plants (MAPs) (2018)
• Publication of Department of Forest (DoF): NTFP resource inventory guideline (2069 BS)
• Publication of ANSAB: i) participatory inventory guideline (2010), ii) individual booklets
regarding the sustainable harvesting of NTFPs (2065 BS), and iii) Harvesting, processing and
marketing of 6 Medicinal Aromatic Plants (MAPs) species (2018)
• Publication on NTFPs by others third parties, if any, for instance non-government or research
organizations, individual researchers and experts
• Consultation with local communities, indigenous communities, and key informants.

Criterion 5.4. The Organization shall use local processing, local services, and local value add-
ing to meet the requirements of The Organization where these are available, proportionate
to scale, intensity and risk. If these are not locally available, The Organization shall make
reasonable attempts to help establish these services. (C5.2 P&C V4)

5.4.1 The Organization* encourages utilization of frequently occurring lesser known or less-com-
munity utilized plant species for commercial and subsistence uses. However, the utilization of
these plant species does not have negative impact to the forest diversity.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan

Criterion 6.1. The Organization shall assess environmental values in the Management Unit
and those values outside the Management Unit potentially affected by management activities.
This assessment shall be undertaken with a level of detail, scale and frequency that is pro-
portionate to the scale, intensity and risk of management activities, and is sufficient for the
purpose of deciding the necessary conservation measures, and for detecting and monitoring
possible negative impacts of those activities. (new)

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6.1.1 Assessment of NTFPs is conducted within a period of 5 years.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan

6.1.2 For SLIMF, The Organization* carries out the assessment within a period from 5 to 10 years.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan

Criterion 6.2. Prior to the start of site-disturbing activities, The Organization shall identify
and assess the scale, intensity and risk of potential impacts of management activities on the
identified environmental values. (C6.1 P&C V4)

6.2.1 Environmental assessments include the impacts resulting from commercial harvesting of
NTFPs.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, IEE/EIA report, meeting minutes and decisions

6.2.2 Environmental assessments are completed during management planning.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, IEE/EIA

Note: In case of community managed forests, assessment of environmental impacts can be done
by forest user groups during the operational plan preparation.

6.2.3 Environmental impacts of on-site NTFP processing facilities are assessed and controlled (e.g.
waste, construction impacts, etc.).

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, IEE/EIA report

6.2.4 The Organization* demonstrates knowledge of the possible negative impacts of non-timber
forest products* management, harvesting and processing, and minimizes them.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, interview with organizations

6.2.5 The Organization* monitors, and if necessary controls the non-timber forest products* col-
lection by third party NTFP harvesters for commercial purpose from the forest management unit.

Verifiers: Meeting minutes, monitoring records, onsite observation

Criterion 6.3. The Organization shall identify and implement effective actions to prevent
negative impacts of management activities on the environmental values, and to mitigate and
repair those that occur, proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk of these impacts. (C6.1
P&C V4)

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6.3.1 The Organization* develops and implements effective actions to mitigate negative impacts
of non-timber forest products* management, harvesting and processing activities in the manage-
ment unit*.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, IEE/EIA report, meeting minutes and decisions

Criterion 7.2. The Organization shall have and implement a management plan for the Man-
agement Unit which is fully consistent with the policies and management objectives as estab-
lished according to Criterion 7.1. The management plan shall describe the natural resources
that exist in the Management Unit and explain how the plan will meet the FSC certification
requirements. The management plan shall cover forest management planning and social
management planning proportionate to scale, intensity and risk of the planned activities.
(C7.1 P&C V4)

7.2.1 Forest management plan*, or its appendices include the following components relating to
non-timber forest products*.

a. NTFP management objectives

b. Description of the NTFPs to be managed, environmental limitations, land use and ownership
status, and socio-economic conditions
c. Description of management systems, based on the species and ecology in question and in-
formation gathered through resource inventories
d. Description and justification for use of different harvesting techniques and equipment
e. Description and justification of forest management prescriptions and their ecological ra-
tionale i.e. based on site specific field data or published analysis of local forest ecology or
regeneration patterns
f. Rate of harvest of NTFPs and species selection including justification
g. Measures for identifying and protecting rare, threatened and endangered species and/or their
habitat
h. Map(s) describing the distribution of selected NTFPs resources in different compart-
ments/blocks
i. Environmental safeguards based on environmental assessment
j. Plans for monitoring NTFPs growth, regeneration and dynamics.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan

Criterion 7.3. The management plan shall include verifiable targets by which progress to-
wards each of the prescribed management objectives can be assessed. (new)

7.3.1 Verifiable targets*, and the frequency that they are assessed, are established for monitoring
the progress towards each management objective* related to non-timber forest products*.

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Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, annual plan

Criterion 8.2. The Organization shall monitor and evaluate the environmental and social
impacts of the activities carried out in the Management Unit, and changes in its environmen-
tal condition. (C8.2 P&C V4)

8.2.1 The Organization* develops monitoring plan that contains sufficient detail to identify/de-
scribe the observed changes in conditions of the particular parts of the plants that are used, and the
levels of regeneration of these plant species.

8.2.2 The Organization* monitors and records the following information related to non-timber
forest products*:
- Amount of products harvested
- Effects of operations as identified under Criteria 6.2
- Changes in rare, threatened or endangered species or natural communities
- At least annual monitoring of any identified high conservation values
- Invasive exotic species
- NTFP regeneration appropriate for the particular plant part used (exudate, reproductive prop-
agule, and vegetative structure)
- Post harvest inspection for erosion and estimate of residual NTFP plants or structure
- Periodic inventory.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, meeting minutes, annual report, interview with stakeholders

8.2.3 Management plan revisions incorporate the results of monitoring or new scientific and tech-
nical information regarding changing harvest regime, environmental, social and economic condi-
tions.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan

Criterion 8.5. The Organization shall have and implement a tracking and tracing system
proportionate to scale, intensity and risk of its management activities, for demonstrating the
source and volume in proportion to projected output for each year, of all products from the
Management Unit that are marketed as FSC certified. (C8.3 P&C V4)

8.5.1 Volume and source data on harvested non-timber forest products* is available (i.e. weighed,
inventoried, measured) in the forest, in transport, at intermediate storage yards, and processing
centers controlled by The Organization*.

Verifiers: Harvest record, onsite observation

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8.5.2 Certified forest products are clearly distinguished from non-certified products through marks
or labels, separate documented storage, and accompanying invoices up to the point of sale (i.e. up
to the “forest gate”)

Verifiers: Enterprise record, onsite observation, interview with the organizations

8.5.3 Documentation is provided by the forest manager to enable monitoring and certifying organ-
izations to trace each forest product from its origin, a process known as the "chain of custody."

Criterion 10.7 The Organization shall use integrated pest management and silviculture sys-
tems which avoid, or aim at eliminating, the use of chemical pesticides. The Organization
shall not use any chemical pesticides prohibited by FSC policy. When pesticides are used,
The Organization shall prevent, mitigate, and/or repair damage to environmental values and
human health. (C6.6 and C10.7 P&C V4)

10.7.1 The Organization* or non-timber forest products* harvesters employ non-timber forest
products* production and collection systems, integrated pest management and vegetation control
strategies that result in the least adverse environmental impact. Pesticides are used only when non-
chemical management practices have been proven ineffective or cost prohibitive.

Verifiers: Forest management plan, meeting minutes, monitoring reports, interview with stake-
holders, onsite observation

10.7.2 Forest management plan* reflects/describes preventive measures for the identified pest and
disease in the forest.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, meeting minutes

Criterion 10.11. The Organization shall manage activities associated with harvesting and ex-
traction of timber and non-timber forest products so that environmental values are con-
served, merchantable waste is reduced, and damage to other products and services is
avoided. (C5.3 and C6.5 P&C V4)

10.11.1 The Organization* or non-timber forest products* harvesters explore options to utilize or
commercialize non-timber forest products* processing waste, when feasible and appropriate.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, enterprise development plan, enterprise records

10.11.2 The Organization* minimizes waste associated with harvesting and on-site processing op-
erations and avoids damage to other forest resources.

Verifiers: Forest Management Plan, annual plan, annual report, onsite observation, interview with
stakeholders

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Table 1: NTFP species (distribution, parts used, harvesting season, and AAH)
Nepali Life Distribution Parts Harvesting AAH (% Refer-
SN English Name Scientific Name Family
Name form (m) Used season of stock) ences
Bhadra-
1 Allo Himalayan nettle Girardinia diversifolia Urticaceae Herb 1200-2500 Bark 90 1,3
Aswin
Phyllanthus emblica
P. acidus
P. amarus
P. clarkei
P. debilis
Kartik- 1,3,4,
2 Amala Gooseberry P. glaucus Euphorbiaceae Tree Upto 1500 Fruit 90
Magh 5
P. parvifolius
P. reticulates
P. sikkimensis
P. urinaria
P. virgatus
Thymelae- Mangsir-
3 Argeli Nepali paper bush Edgeworthia gardneri Shrub 1500-3000 Bark 80 1,3
aceae Magh
Root/R Aswin -
4 Atis Aconite Delphinium himalayai Ranunculaceae Herb 2400-4100 80 1,3
hizome Mangsir
Fruit
Bastard myroba- Mangsir-
5 Barro Terminalia bellirica Combretaceae Tree 300-1100 & 80 1,3,4
lan Falgun
Bark
6 Bikh Nepali aconite Aconitum spicatum Ranunculaceae Herb 3300-4300 Root Aswin 80 1,3,4
Rhi- Aswin-
7 Bojho The Sweet Flag Acorus calamus Araceae Herb Upto 200 80 1,3,4
zome Kartik
Bhadra-
8 Bhyakur Deltoid yam Dioscorea deltoidea Dioscoreaceae 450-3100 Tuber 60 1,3,4
Kartik
Whole Kartik-
9 Chiraito Chiretta Swertia chirayita Gentianaceae Herbs 1500-2700 80 1,3,4
plant Mangsir
Jestha-
10 Chiuri Butter tree Diploknema butyracea Sapotaceae Tree 300-1500 Fruit 90 2,5
Asadh
Srawan-
11 Dalechuk Seabuckthorn Hippophae salicifolia Elaeagnaceae Tree 2000-3500 Fruit 80 1,3,4
Kartik

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Nepali Life Distribution Parts Harvesting AAH (% Refer-

SN English Name Scientific Name Family
Name form (m) Used season of stock) ences
Srawan-
12 Tarechuk Seabuckthorn Hippophae tibetana Elaeagnaceae Shrub 3500-4100 Fruit 80 1,3,4
Kartik
Baisakh-
Gaultheria fragrantis- Jestha;
13 Dhasingre Wintergreen Ericaceae Shrub 1200-2700 Leaf 70 1,3
sima Bhadra-
Kartik
Leaf
Aswin-
14 Dhupi Juniper Juniperus indica Cupressaceae Shrub 2600-4100 and 70 1,3
Kartik
fruit
Guchchi Whole Baisakh-
15 Morel mushroom Morchella conica Morchellaceae Fungus 2000-3500 100 1,3
Chyau plant Jestha
Menisperma- Magh-
16 Gurjo Tinospora Tinospora sinensis Climber 500-1100 Stem 90 1,3,4
ceae Chaitra
Chebulic myroba- Mangsir-
17 Harro Terminalia chebula Combretaceae Tree 150-1100 Fruit 90 1,3,4
lan Falgun
Chebulic myroba- Falgun-
Harro Terminalia chebula Combretaceae Tree 150-1100 Bark 33 1,3,4
lan Baisakh
Nardostachys grandi- Rhi- Aswin-
18 Jatamansi Spikenard Valerianaceae Herbs 3000-5000 80 1,3,4
flora zome Mangsir
Whole
19 Jhyau Lichen Permelia sp Parmeliaceae Lichen 100-3000 Whole year 90 1
part
Poush- 1,2,3,
20 Kurilo Wild asparagus Asparagus racemosus Liliaceae Herbs 600-2100 Tuber 80
Magh 5
Root,
Neopicrorhiza scrophu- Scrophularia- Aswin-
21 Kutki Gentian Herbs 3000-4200 Rhi- 80 1,3,4
lariiflora ceae Kartik
zome
Himalayan may Podophylum hexan- Aswin-
22 Laghupatra Berberidaceae Herbs 2400-4500 Tuber 60 1,3,4
apple drum Kartik
Falgun-
23 Lauth Salla Himalayan yew Taxus wallichiana Taxaceae Tree 1800-4000 Leaf 60 1,3,4
Chaitra
Thymelae- Bark/b Aswin-
24 Lokta Nepali paper plant Daphne bholua Shrub 1500-2200 80 1,3
aceae ast Magh

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Nepali Life Distribution Parts Harvesting AAH (% Refer-

SN English Name Scientific Name Family
Name form (m) Used season of stock) ences
Kartik-
25 Majitho Madder Rubia manjith Rubiaceae Climber 600-2450 Stem 90 1
Mangsir
Neem, Margosa Leaf/fr Asadh-
26 Neem Azadirachta indica Meliaceae Tree 300-1500 70 1,3
tree uit Aswin
Root,
Aswin-
27 Nirmansi Larkspur Delphinium denudatum Ranunculaceae Herb 2700-4000 Rhi- 80 1,3
Kartik
zome
Falgun-
28 Okhar Walnut Juglans regia Juglandaceae Tree 1500-3000 Bark 33 1,3,4
Baisakh
Kartik-
Okhar Walnut Juglans regia Juglandaceae Tree 1500-3000 Fruit 90 1,3,4
Mangsir
Himalayan rhu- Rhi-
29 Padamchal Rheum australe Polygonaceae Herb 3000-4200 Bhadra 60 1,3,4
barb zome
Himalayan rhu-
Padamchal Rheum australe Polygonaceae Herb 3000-4200 Stem Srawan 70 1,3,4
barb
Aswin-
30 Pakhanbed Rock foil Bergenia ciliata Saxifragaceae Herbs 1200-3300 Tuber 60 1,3,4
Kartik
Kartik- 1,3,4,
31 Pipla Long pepper Piper longum Piperaceae Cripper 200-1000 Fruit 90
Paush 5
Kartik-
32 Ritha Soap nut Sapindus mukorossi Sapindaceae Tree 1000-1500 Fruit 90 1,3,5
Mangsir
Kartik-Fal- 1,3,4,
33 Sarpagandha Serpentine root Rauvolfia serpentina Apocynaceae Herb 100-700 Root 80
gun 5
Aswin-
34 Satuwa Love apple Paris polyphylla Liliaceae Herb 1900-3100 Tuber 80 1,3,4
Kartik
Sugandhako Cinnamomum glau- Bhadra- 1,3,4,
35 Cinnamon berry Lauraceae Tree 450-2500 Fruit 80
kila cescens Aswin 5
Sugandha- Rhi- Jestha- 1,3,4,
36 Indian valerian Valeriana jatamansii Valerianaceae Herb 1500-2700 80
wal zome Asadh 5
Rhododendron an- Aswin-
37 Sunpati Rhododendron Ericaceae Shrub 3000-5000 Leaf 70 1,3
thopogan Kartik
Cinamon leaf, In- Kartik- 1,2,3,
38 Tejpat Cinnamomum tamala Lauraceae Tree 450-2500 Leaf 70
dian bay leaf Chaitra 4,5

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Nepali Life Distribution Parts Harvesting AAH (% Refer-

SN English Name Scientific Name Family
Name form (m) Used season of stock) ences
Syn: Cinnamomum
albiflorum
Laurus tamala
Laurus albiflora
Cinnamomum tamala
Syn: Cinnamomum
Falgun- 1,2,3,
Dalchini Cinamon bark albiflorum Lauraceae Tree 450-2500 Bark 33
Baisakh 4,5
Laurus tamala
Laurus albiflora
Zanthoxylum armatum
Z. acanthopodium
Z. bungeanu
Z. nepalense Aswin- 1,2,3,
39 Timur Nepali Peeper Rutaceae Tree 1200-2500 Fruit 90
Z. nitidum Mangsir 4,5
Z. ovalifolium Z. oxy-
phyllum
Z. tomentellum
Himalayan cater- Ophiocordyceps sinen- Mush- Whole Jestha-
40 Yarsagumba Hypocreaceae 3500-5000 90 1,3,5
pillar fungus sis room part Asadh

Note: The AAH has been estimated considering the mature and harvestable plants.

References:
1. ANSAB 2010. Toolkit on Participatory Inventory of NTFPs. Published by ANSAB Nepal.
2. ANSAB 2017. Booklet on collection, processing and utilization of medicinal and aromatic plants in Nepal. Published by ANSAB
Nepal for IN-MAPs project.
3. DoF 2012. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) Inventory Guideline, 2069. Nepal Government, Ministry of Forests and Soil Con-
servation, Department of Forests.
4. DPR 2015. NTFP collection, conservation, management methods (Jadibuti Parichaya Mala 1-5). Published by Department of Plant
Resources (DPR), MoFSC, Government of Nepal.

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5. Subedi, B.P., S. Charmakar, N.R. Joshi, B. Dahal, P. Thapa, S. Adhikary, N.B. Bhatta, B. Sharma, T. Shiwakoti, and S. Labh 2017.
Resources Inventory and Review and Revision of Operational Plans of the Targeted Community Forests of IN-MAPs Working Dis-
tricts. Study Report, GIZ IN-MAPs Project, Satdobato Lalitpur, Nepal.

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11. FSC Glossary of terms

This glossary includes internationally accepted definitions whenever possible. These sources in-
clude, for instance, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Con-
vention on Biological Diversity (1992), the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) as well as
definitions from online glossaries as provided on the websites of the World Conservation Union
(IUCN), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Invasive Alien Species Programme of
the Convention on Biological Diversity. When other sources have been used they are referenced
accordingly.
The term ‘based on’ means that a definition was adapted from an existing definition as provided in
an international source.
Words used in the International Generic Indicators, if not defined in this Glossary of Terms or other
normative FSC documents, are used as defined in the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary or the
Concise Oxford Dictionary.
Adaptive management: A systematic process of continually improving management policies and
practices by learning from the outcomes of existing measures (Source: Based on World Conserva-
tion Union (IUCN). Glossary definitions as provided on IUCN website).
Affected stakeholder: Any person, group of persons or entity that is or is likely to be subject to the
effects of the activities of a Management Unit. Examples include, but are not restricted to (for ex-
ample in the case of downstream landowners), persons, groups of persons or entities located in the
neighbourhood of the Management Unit. The following are examples of affected stakeholders:
o Local communities
o Indigenous Peoples
o Workers
o Forest dwellers
o Neighbors
o Downstream landowners
o Local processors
o Local businesses
o Tenure and use rights holders, including landowners
o Organizations authorized or known to act on behalf of affected stakeholders, for exam-
ple social and environmental NGOs, labor unions, etc.
(Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).

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Alien species: A species, subspecies or lower taxon, introduced outside its natural past or present
distribution; includes any part, gametes, seeds, eggs, or propagules of such species that might sur-
vive and subsequently reproduce (Source: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Invasive
Alien Species Programme. Glossary of Terms as provided on CBD website).
Applicable law: Means applicable to The Organization* as a legal* person or business enterprise
in or for the benefit of the Management Unit and those laws which affect the implementation of the
FSC Principles and Criteria. This includes any combination of statutory law (Parliamentary-ap-
proved) and case law (court interpretations), subsidiary regulations, associated administrative pro-
cedures, and the national constitution (if present) which invariably takes legal* precedence over all
other legal* instruments (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Aquifer: A formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that contains sufficient saturated
permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs for that unit to have
economic value as a source of water in that region. (Source: Gratzfeld, J. 2003. Extractive Industries
in Arid and Semi-Arid Zones. World Conservation Union (IUCN)).
Best Available Information: Data, facts, documents, expert opinions, and results of field surveys
or consultations with stakeholders that are most credible, accurate, complete, and/or pertinent and
that can be obtained through reasonable* effort and cost, subject to the scale* and intensity* of the
management activities and the Precautionary Approach*.
Binding Agreement: A deal or pact, written or not, which is compulsory to its signatories and
enforceable by law. Parties involved in the agreement do so freely and accept it voluntarily.
Biological diversity: The variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia,
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a
part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems (Source: Convention
on Biological Diversity 1992, Article 2).
Biological control agents: Organisms used to eliminate or regulate the population of other organ-
isms (Source: Based on FSC-STD-01-001 V4-0 and World Conservation Union (IUCN). Glossary
definitions as provided on IUCN website).
Community based forest management organizations: Community based forest management or-
ganizations in Nepal indicate for community forests, conservation community forests, buffer zone
community forests, leasehold forests and collaborative forests.

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Confidential information: Private facts, data and content that, if made publicly available, might
put at risk The Organization*, its business interests or its relationships with stakeholders, clients
and competitors.
Conflicts between the Principles and Criteria and laws: Situations where it is not possible to
comply with the Principles and Criteria and a law at the same time (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-
0).
Connectivity: A measure of how connected or spatially continuous a corridor, network, or matrix
is. The fewer gaps the higher the connectivity. Related to the structural connectivity concept; func-
tional or behavioral connectivity refers to how connected an area is for a process, such as an animal
moving through different types of landscape elements. Aquatic connectivity deals with the acces-
sibility and transport of materials and organisms, through groundwater and surface water, between
different patches of aquatic ecosystems of all kinds. (Source: Based on R.T.T. Forman. 1995. Land
Mosaics. The Ecology of Landscapes and Regions. Cambridge University Press, 632pp).
Conservation/Protection: These words are used interchangeably when referring to management
activities designed to maintain the identified environmental or cultural values in existence long-
term. Management activities may range from zero or minimal interventions to a specified range of
appropriate interventions and activities designed to maintain, or compatible with maintaining, these
identified values (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Conservation Areas Network: Those portions of the Management Unit* for which conservation
is the primary and, in some circumstances, exclusive objective; such areas include representative
sample areas*, conservation zones*, protection areas*, connectivity* areas and High Conservation
Value Areas*.
Conservation zones and protection areas: Defined areas that are designated and managed pri-
marily to safeguard species, habitats, ecosystems, natural features or other site-specific values be-
cause of their natural environmental or cultural values, or for purposes of monitoring, evaluation or
research, not necessarily excluding other management activities. For the purposes of the Principles
and Criteria, these terms are used interchangeably, without implying that one always has a higher
degree of conservation or protection than the other. The term ‘protected area’ is not used for these
areas, because this term implies legal* or official status, covered by national regulations in many
countries. In the context of the Principles and Criteria, management of these areas should involve
active conservation, not passive protection’ (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).

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Critical: The concept of criticality or fundamentality in Principal 9 and HCVs relates to irreplace-
ability and to cases where loss or major damage to this HCV would cause serious prejudice or
suffering to affected stakeholders. An ecosystem service is considered to be critical (HCV 4) where
a disruption of that service is likely to cause, or poses a threat of, severe negative impacts on the
welfare, health or survival of local communities, on the environment, on HCVs, or on the function-
ing of significant infrastructure (roads, dams, buildings etc.). The notion of criticality here refers
to the importance and risk for natural resources and environmental and socio-economic values
(Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Criterion (pl. Criteria): A means of judging whether or not a Principle (of forest stewardship) has
been fulfilled (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V4-0).
Culturally appropriate [mechanisms]: Means/approaches for outreach to target groups that are in
harmony with the customs, values, sensitivities, and ways of life of the target audience.
Customary law: Interrelated sets of customary rights may be recognized as customary law. In some
jurisdictions, customary law is equivalent to statutory law, within its defined area of competence
and may replace the statutory law for defined ethnic or other social groups. In some jurisdictions
customary law complements statutory law and is applied in specified circumstances (Source: Based
on N.L. Peluso and P. Vandergeest. 2001. Genealogies of the political forest and customary rights
in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, Journal of Asian Studies 60(3):761–812).
Customary rights: Rights which result from a long series of habitual or customary actions, con-
stantly repeated, which have, by such repetition and by uninterrupted acquiescence, acquired the
force of a law within a geographical or sociological unit (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V4-0).
Dalit: Dalit is defined as “those communities who, by virtue of atrocities of caste based discrimi-
nation and untouchability, are most backward in social, economic, educational, political and reli-
gious fields, and are deprived of human dignity and social justice” (Nepal Dalit Commission)
Dispute: for the purpose of the IGI, this is an expression of dissatisfaction by any person or organ-
ization presented as a complaint to The Organization*, relating to its management activities or its
conformity with the FSC Principles and Criteria, where a response is expected (Source: based on
FSC-PRO-01-005 V3-0 Processing Appeals).
Dispute of substantial duration: Dispute* that continues for more than twice as long as the pre-
defined timelines in the FSC System (this is, for more than 6 months after receiving the complaint,
based on FSC-STD-20-001).

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Dispute of substantial magnitude: For the purpose of the International Generic Indicators, a dis-
pute* of substantial magnitude is a dispute* that involves one or more of the following:
o Affects the legal* or customary rights* of Indigenous Peoples* and local communities*;
o Where the negative impact of management activities is of such a scale that it cannot be
reversed or mitigated;
o Physical violence;
o Destruction of property;
o Presence of military bodies;
o Acts of intimidation against forest* workers* and stakeholders*.
o Affecting 100 ha and more or 10% of the forest management unit (whichever is smaller)

This list should be adapted or expanded by Standard Developers.

Economic viability: The capability of developing and surviving as a relatively independent social,
economic or political unit. Economic viability may require but is not synonymous with profitability
(Source: Based on the definition provided on the website of the European Environment Agency).
Ecosystem: A dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-
living environment interacting as a functional unit (Source: Convention on Biological Diversity
1992, Article 2).
Ecosystem function: An intrinsic ecosystem characteristic related to the set of conditions and pro-
cesses whereby an ecosystem maintains its integrity (such as primary productivity, food chain, bi-
ogeochemical cycles). Ecosystem functions include such processes as decomposition, production,
nutrient cycling, and fluxes of nutrients and energy. For FSC purposes, this definition includes
ecological and evolutionary processes such as gene flow and disturbance regimes, regeneration
cycles and ecological seral development (succession) stages. (Source: Based on R. Hassan, R.
Scholes and N. Ash. 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Synthesis. The Millennium Eco-
system Assessment Series. Island Press, Washington DC; and R.F. Noss. 1990. Indicators for mon-
itoring biodiversity: a hierarchical approach. Conservation Biology 4(4):355–364).
Ecosystem services: The benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include:
o provisioning services such as food, forest products and water;
o regulating services such as regulation of floods, drought, land degradation, air quality,
climate and disease;
o supporting services such as soil formation and nutrient cycling; and

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o cultural services and cultural values such as recreational, spiritual, religious and other
non-material benefits.
(Source: Based on R. Hassan, R. Scholes and N. Ash. 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-being:
Synthesis. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Series. Island Press, Washington DC).
Engaging / engagement: The process by which The Organization communicates, consults and/or
provides for the participation of interested and/or affected stakeholders ensuring that their concerns,
desires, expectations, needs, rights and opportunities are considered in the establishment, imple-
mentation and updating of the management plan* (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Systematic process used to identify potential environ-
mental and social impacts of proposed projects, to evaluate alternative approaches, and to design
and incorporate appropriate prevention, mitigation, management and monitoring measures (Source:
based on Environmental impact assessment, guidelines for FAO field projects. Food and agriculture
organization of the United Nations (FAO). Rome,-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Environmental values: The following set of elements of the biophysical and human environment:
o ecosystem functions (including carbon sequestration and storage);
o biological diversity;
o water resources;
o soils;
o atmosphere;
o landscape values (including cultural and spiritual values).
The actual worth attributed to these elements depends on human and societal perceptions (Source:
FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Externalities: The positive and negative impacts of activities on stakeholders that are not directly
involved in those activities, or on a natural resource or the environment, which do not usually enter
standard cost accounting systems, such that the market prices of the products of those activities do
not reflect the full costs or benefits (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Fair compensation: Remuneration that is proportionate to the magnitude and type of services ren-
dered by another party or of the harm that is attributable to the first party.
Fertilizer: Mineral or organic substances, most commonly N, P2O5 and K20, which are applied to
soil for the purpose of enhancing plant growth.
Focal species: Species whose requirements for persistence define the attributes that must be present
if that landscape is to meet the requirements of the species that occur there (Source: Lambeck, R.,

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J. 1997. Focal Species: A multi-species Umbrella for Nature Conservation. Conservation Biology
vol 11 (4): 849-856.).
Forest: A tract of land dominated by trees (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0. Derived from FSC
Guidelines for Certification Bodies, Scope of Forest Certification, Section 2.1 first published in
1998, and revised as FSC-GUI-20-200 in 2005, and revised again in 2010 as FSC-DIR-20-007 FSC
Directive on Forest Management Evaluations, ADVICE-20-007-01).
Formal and informal workers organization: association or union of workers*, whether recog-
nized by law or by The Organization* or neither, which have the aim of promoting workers* rights
and to represent workers* in dealings with The Organization* particularly regarding working con-
ditions and compensation.
Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC): A legal* condition whereby a person or community
can be said to have given consent to an action prior to its commencement, based upon a clear ap-
preciation and understanding of the facts, implications and future consequences of that action, and
the possession of all relevant facts at the time when consent is given. Free, prior and informed
consent includes the right to grant, modify, withhold or withdraw approval (Source: Based on the
Preliminary working paper on the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent of Indigenous
Peoples (…) (E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.4/2004/4 8 July 2004) of the 22nd Session of the United Nations
Commission on Human Rights, Sub-commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights, Working Group on Indigenous Populations, 19–23 July 2004).
Gender equality: Gender equality or gender equity means that women and men have equal condi-
tions for realizing their full human rights and for contributing to, and benefiting from, economic,
social, cultural and political development (Source: Adapted from FAO, IFAD and ILO workshop
on ‘Gaps, trends and current research in gender dimensions of agricultural and rural employment:
differentiated pathways out of poverty’, Rome, 31 March to 2 April 2009.).
Genetically modified organism: An organism in which the genetic material has been altered in a
way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. (Source: Based on FSC-
POL-30-602 FSC Interpretation on GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms)).
Genotype: The genetic constitution of an organism (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Grassland: Land covered with herbaceous plants with less than 10% tree and shrub cover (Source:
UNEP, cited in FAO. 2002. Second Expert Meeting on Harmonizing Forest-Related Definitions for
use by various stakeholders).

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Habitat: The place or type of site where an organism or population occurs (Source: Based on the
Convention on Biological Diversity, Article 2).
Habitat features: Forest* stand attributes and structures, including but not limited to:
o Old commercial and non-commercial trees whose age noticeably exceeds the average
age of the main canopy;
o Trees with special ecological value;
o Vertical and horizontal complexity;
o Standing dead trees;
o Dead fallen wood;
o Forest openings attributable to natural disturbances;
o Nesting sites;
o Small wetlands, bogs, fens;
o Ponds;
o Areas for procreation;
o Areas for feeding and shelter, including seasonal cycles of breeding;
o Areas for migration;
o Areas for hibernation.
High Conservation Value (HCV): Any of the following values:
o HCV1: Species Diversity. Concentrations of biological diversity* including endemic
species, and rare, threatened or endangered* species, that are significant at global, re-
gional or national levels.
o HCV 2: Landscape-level ecosystems and mosaics. Intact Forest Landscapes, large land-
scape-level ecosystems* and ecosystem mosaics that are significant at global, regional
or national levels, and that contain viable populations of the great majority of the natu-
rally occurring species in natural patterns of distribution and abundance.
o HCV 3: Ecosystems and habitats. Rare, threatened, or endangered ecosystems, habitats*
or refugia*.
o HCV 4: Critical ecosystem services. Basic ecosystem services* in critical situations, in-
cluding protection of water catchments and control of erosion of vulnerable soils and
slopes.
o HCV 5: Community needs. Sites and resources fundamental for satisfying the basic ne-
cessities of local communities or Indigenous Peoples* (for example for livelihoods,

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health, nutrition, water), identified through engagement with these communities or In-
digenous Peoples*.
o HCV 6: Cultural values. Sites, resources, habitats and landscapes* of global or national
cultural, archaeological or historical significance, and/or of critical cultural, ecological,
economic or religious/sacred importance for the traditional cultures of local communi-
ties or Indigenous Peoples*, identified through engagement with these local communi-
ties or Indigenous Peoples*.
(Source: based on FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
High Conservation Value Areas: Zones and physical spaces which possess and/or are needed for
the existence and maintenance of identified High Conservation Values*.
High grading: High grading is a tree removal practice in which only the best quality, most valuable
timber trees are removed, often without regenerating new tree seedlings or removing the remaining
poor quality and suppressed understory trees and, in doing so, degrading the ecological health and
commercial value of the forest. High grading stands as a counterpoint to sustainable resource man-
agement (Source: based on Glossary of Forest Management Terms. North Carolina Division of
Forest Resources. March 2009).
Indicator: A quantitative or qualitative variable which can be measured or described, and which
provides a means of judging whether a Management Unit* complies with the requirements of an
FSC Criterion. Indicators and the associated thresholds thereby define the requirements for respon-
sible forest management at the level of the Management Unit* and are the primary bases of forest
evaluation (Source: FSC-STD-01-002 V1-0 FSC Glossary of Terms (2009)).
Indigenous Peoples: People and groups of people that can be identified or characterized as follows:
o The key characteristic or Criterion is self-identification as Indigenous Peoples at the
individual level and acceptance by the community as their member;
o Historical continuity with pre-colonial and/or pre-settler societies;
o Strong link to territories and surrounding natural resources;
o Distinct social, economic or political systems;
o Distinct language, culture and beliefs;
o Form non-dominant groups of society;
o Resolve to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinc-
tive peoples and communities.

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(Source: Adapted from United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous, Factsheet ‘Who are
Indigenous Peoples’ October 2007; United Nations Development Group, ‘Guidelines on Indig-
enous Peoples’ Issues’ United Nations 2009, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of In-
digenous Peoples, 13 September 2007).
Infrastructure: In the context of forest management, roads, bridges, culverts, log landings, quar-
ries, impoundments, buildings and other structures required in the course of implementing the man-
agement plan*.
Intact Forest Landscape: a territory within today's global extent of forest cover which contains
forest and non-forest ecosystems minimally influenced by human economic activity, with an area
of at least 500 km2 (50,000 ha) and a minimal width of 10 km (measured as the diameter of a circle
that is entirely inscribed within the boundaries of the territory) (Source: Intact Forests / Global
Forest Watch. Glossary definition as provided on Intact Forest website. 2006-2014).
Intellectual property: Practices as well as knowledge, innovations and other creations of the mind
(Source: Based on the Convention on Biological Diversity, Article 8(j); and World Intellectual
Property Organization. What is Intellectual Property? WIPO Publication No. 450(E)).
Intensity: A measure of the force, severity or strength of a management activity or other occurrence
affecting the nature of the activity’s impacts (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Interested stakeholder: Any person, group of persons, or entity that has shown an interest, or is
known to have an interest, in the activities of a Management Unit. The following are examples of
interested stakeholders.
o Conservation organizations, for example environmental NGOs;
o Labor (rights) organizations, for example labor unions;
o Human rights organizations, for example social NGOs;
o Local development projects;
o Local governments;
o National government departments functioning in the region;
o FSC National Offices;
o Experts on particular issues, for example High Conservation Values.
(Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0)
Internationally accepted scientific protocol: A predefined science-based procedure which is ei-
ther published by an international scientific network or union, or referenced frequently in the inter-
national scientific literature (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).

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Invasive species: Species that are rapidly expanding outside of their native range. Invasive species
can alter ecological relationships among native species and can affect ecosystem function and hu-
man health (Source: Based on World Conservation Union (IUCN). Glossary definitions as provided
on IUCN website).
Lands and territories: For the purposes of the Principles and Criteria these are lands or territories
that Indigenous Peoples or local communities have traditionally owned, or customarily used or oc-
cupied, and where access to natural resources is vital to the sustainability of their cultures and live-
lihoods (Source: Based on World Bank safeguard OP 4.10 Indigenous Peoples, section 16 (a). July
2005).
Landscape: A geographical mosaic composed of interacting ecosystems resulting from the influ-
ence of geological, topographical, soil, climatic, biotic and human interactions in a given area
(Source: Based on World Conservation Union (IUCN). Glossary definitions as provided on IUCN
website).
Landscape values: Landscape values can be visualized as layers of human perceptions overlaid on
the physical landscape. Some landscape values, like economic, recreation, subsistence value or vis-
ual quality are closely related to physical landscape attributes. Other landscape values such as in-
trinsic or spiritual value are more symbolic in character and are influenced more by individual per-
ception or social construction than physical landscape attributes (Source: Based on website of the
Landscape Value Institute).
Legal: In accordance with primary legislation (national or local laws) or secondary legislation (sub-
sidiary regulations, decrees, orders, etc.). ‘Legal’ also includes rule-based decisions made by legally
competent agencies where such decisions flow directly and logically from the laws and regulations.
Decisions made by legally competent agencies may not be legal if they do not flow directly and
logically from the laws and regulations and if they are not rule-based but use administrative discre-
tion (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Legally competent: Mandated in law to perform a certain function (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-
0).
Legal registration: National or local legal* license or set of permissions to operate as an enterprise,
with rights to buy and sell products and/or services commercially. The license or permissions can
apply to an individual, a privately-owned enterprise or a publicly-owned corporate entity. The rights
to buy and sell products and/or services do not carry the obligation to do so, so legal* registration
applies also to Organizations operating a Management Unit without sales of products or services;

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for example, for unpriced recreation or for conservation of biodiversity or habitat (Source: FSC-
STD-01-001 V5-0).
Legal status: The way in which the Management Unit is classified according to law. In terms of
tenure, it means the category of tenure, such as communal land or leasehold or freehold or State
land or government land, etc. If the Management Unit is being converted from one category to
another (for example, from State land to communal indigenous land) the status includes the current
position in the transition process. In terms of administration, legal status could mean that the land
is owned by the nation as a whole, is administered on behalf of the nation by a government depart-
ment, and is leased by a government Ministry to a private sector operator through a concession
(Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Living wage: The remuneration received for a standard work week by a worker in a particular place
sufficient to afford a decent standard of living for the worker and her or his family. Elements of a
decent standard of living include food, water, housing, education, health care, transport, clothing,
and other essential needs including provision for unexpected events (Source: A Shared Approach
to a Living Wage. ISEAL Living Wage Group. November 2013).
Local communities: Communities of any size that are in or adjacent to the Management Unit, and
also those that are close enough to have a significant impact on the economy or the environmental
values of the Management Unit or to have their economies, rights or environments significantly
affected by the management activities or the biophysical aspects of the Management Unit (Source:
FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Local laws: The whole suite of primary and secondary laws (acts, ordinances, statutes, decrees)
which is limited in application to a particular geographic district within a national territory, as well
as secondary regulations, and tertiary administrative procedures (rules / requirements) that derive
their authority directly and explicitly from these primary and secondary laws. Laws derive authority
ultimately from the Westphalian concept of sovereignty of the Nation State (Source: FSC-STD-01-
001 V5-0).
Long-term: The time-scale of the forest owner or manager as manifested by the objectives of the
management plan*, the rate of harvesting, and the commitment to maintain permanent forest cover.
The length of time involved will vary according to the context and ecological conditions, and will
be a function of how long it takes a given ecosystem to recover its natural structure and composition
following harvesting or disturbance, or to produce mature or primary conditions (Source: FSC-
STD-01-002 V1-0 FSC Glossary of Terms (2009)).

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Management objective: Specific management goals, practices, outcomes, and approaches estab-
lished to achieve the requirements of this standard.
Management plan: The collection of documents, reports, records and maps that describe, justify
and regulate the activities carried out by any manager, staff or organization within or in relation to
the Management Unit, including statements of objectives and policies (Source: FSC-STD-01-001
V5-0).
Management plan monitoring: Follow up and oversight procedures for the purpose of evaluating
the achievement of the management objectives*. The results of the monitoring activities are utilized
in the implementation of adaptive management*.
Management Unit: A spatial area or areas submitted for FSC certification with clearly defined
boundaries managed to a set of explicit long term management objectives which are expressed in a
management plan*. This area or areas include(s):
o all facilities and area(s) within or adjacent to this spatial area or areas under legal* title
or management control of, or operated by or on behalf of The Organization, for the
purpose of contributing to the management objectives; and
o all facilities and area(s) outside, and not adjacent to this spatial area or areas and operated
by or on behalf of The Organization*, solely for the purpose of contributing to the man-
agement objectives.
(Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Managerial control: Responsibility of the kind defined for corporate directors of commercial en-
terprises in national commercial law, and treated by FSC as applicable also to public sector organ-
izations (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
National laws: The whole suite of primary and secondary laws (acts, ordinances, statutes, decrees),
which is applicable to a national territory, as well as secondary regulations, and tertiary administra-
tive procedures (rules / requirements) that derive their authority directly and explicitly from these
primary and secondary laws (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Native species: Species, subspecies, or lower taxon, occurring within its natural range (past or pre-
sent) and dispersal potential (that is, within the range it occupies naturally or could occupy without
direct or indirect introduction or care by humans) (Source: Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD). Invasive Alien Species Programme. Glossary of Terms as provided on CBD website).
Natural conditions/native ecosystem: For the purposes of the Principles and Criteria and any ap-
plications of restoration techniques, terms such as ‘more natural conditions’, ‘native ecosystem’

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provide for managing sites to favor or restore native species and associations of native species that
are typical of the locality, and for managing these associations and other environmental values so
that they form ecosystems typical of the locality. Further guidelines may be provided in FSC Forest
Stewardship Standards (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Natural forest: A forest area with many of the principal characteristics and key elements of native
ecosystems, such as complexity, structure and biological diversity, including soil characteristics,
flora and fauna, in which all or almost all the trees are native species, not classified as plantations.
‘Natural forest’ includes the following categories:
o Forest affected by harvesting or other disturbances, in which trees are being or have been
regenerated by a combination of natural and artificial regeneration with species typical
of natural forests in that site, and where many of the above-ground and below-ground
characteristics of the natural forest are still present. In boreal and north temperate forests
which are naturally composed of only one or few tree species, a combination of natural
and artificial regeneration to regenerate forest of the same native species, with most of
the principal characteristics and key elements of native ecosystems of that site, is not by
itself considered as conversion to plantations;
o Natural forests which are maintained by traditional silvicultural practices including nat-
ural or assisted natural regeneration;
o Well-developed secondary or colonizing forest of native species which has regenerated
in non-forest areas;
o The definition of ‘natural forest’ may include areas described as wooded ecosystems,
woodland and savannah.
The description of natural forests and their principal characteristics and key elements may be further
defined in FSC Forest Stewardship Standards, with appropriate descriptions or examples.
‘Natural forest’ does not include land which is not dominated by trees, was previously not forest,
and which does not yet contain many of the characteristics and elements of native ecosystems.
Young regeneration may be considered as natural forest after some years of ecological progression.
FSC Forest Stewardship Standards may indicate when such areas may be excised from the Man-
agement Unit, should be restored towards more natural conditions, or may be converted to other
land uses.
FSC has not developed quantitative thresholds between different categories of forests in terms of
area, density, height, etc. FSC Forest Stewardship Standards may provide such thresholds and other

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guidelines, with appropriate descriptions or examples. Pending such guidance, areas dominated by
trees, mainly of native species, may be considered as natural forest.
Thresholds and guidelines may cover areas such as:
o Other vegetation types and non-forest communities and ecosystems included in the
Management Unit, including grassland, bushland, wetlands, and open woodlands;
o Very young pioneer or colonizing regeneration in a primary succession on new open
sites or abandoned farmland, which does not yet contain many of the principal charac-
teristics and key elements of native ecosystems. This may be considered as natural forest
through ecological progression after the passage of years;
o Young natural regeneration growing in natural forest areas may be considered as natural
forest, even after logging, clear-felling or other disturbances, since many of the principal
characteristics and key elements of native ecosystems remain, above-ground and below-
ground;
Areas where deforestation and forest degradation have been so severe that they are no longer
‘dominated by trees’ may be considered as non-forest, when they have very few of the principal
above-ground and below-ground characteristics and key elements of natural forests. Such ex-
treme degradation is typically the result of combinations of repeated and excessively heavy
logging, grazing, farming, fuelwood collection, hunting, fire, erosion, mining, settlements, in-
frastructure, etc. FSC Forest Stewardship Standards may help to decide when such areas should
be excised from the Management Unit, should be restored towards more natural conditions, or
may be converted to other land uses. (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Natural Hazards: disturbances that can present risks to social and environmental values* in the
Management Unit* but that may also comprise important ecosystem functions; examples include
drought, flood, fire, landslide, storm, avalanche, etc.
Non-timber forest products (NTFP): All products other than timber derived from the Manage-
ment Unit (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Objective: The basic purpose laid down by The Organization* for the forest enterprise, including
the decision of policy and the choice of means for attaining the purpose (Source: Based on F.C.
Osmaston. 1968. The Management of Forests. Hafner, New York; and D.R. Johnston, A.J. Grayson
and R.T. Bradley. 1967. Forest Planning. Faber & Faber, London).
Obligatory code of practice: A manual or handbook or other source of technical instruction which
The Organization must implement by law (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).

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Occupational accident: An occurrence arising out of, or in the course of, work which results in
fatal or non-fatal injury (Source: International Labor Organization (ILO). Bureau of Library and
Information Services. ILO Thesaurus as provided on ILO website).
Occupational disease: Any disease contracted as a result of an exposure to risk factors arising from
work activity (Source: International Labor Organization (ILO). Bureau of Library and Information
Services. ILO Thesaurus as provided on ILO website).
Occupational injuries: Any personal injury, disease or death resulting from an occupational acci-
dent (Source: International Labor Organization (ILO). Bureau of Library and Information Services.
ILO Thesaurus as provided on ILO website).
Organism: Any biological entity capable of replication or of transferring genetic material (Source:
Council Directive 90/220/EEC).
The Organization: The person or entity holding or applying for certification and therefore respon-
sible for demonstrating compliance with the requirements upon which FSC certification is based
(Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Pesticide: Any substance or preparation prepared or used in protecting plants or wood or other plant
products from pests; in controlling pests; or in rendering such pests harmless. This definition in-
cludes insecticides, rodenticides, acaricides, molluscicides, larvaecides, fungicides and herbicides
(Source: FSC-POL-30-001 FSC Pesticides Policy (2005).
Plantation: A forest area established by planting or sowing with using either alien or native species,
often with one or few species, regular spacing and even ages, and which lacks most of the principal
characteristics and key elements of natural forests. The description of plantations may be further
defined in FSC Forest Stewardship Standards, with appropriate descriptions or examples, such as:
o Areas which would initially have complied with this definition of ‘plantation’ but which,
after the passage of years, contain many or most of the principal characteristics and key
elements of native ecosystems, may be classified as natural forests.
o Plantations managed to restore and enhance biological and habitat diversity, structural
complexity and ecosystem functionality may, after the passage of years, be classified as
natural forests.
Boreal and north temperate forests which are naturally composed of only one or few tree spe-
cies, in which a combination of natural and artificial regeneration is used to regenerate forest of
the same native species, with most of the principal characteristics and key elements of native

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ecosystems of that site, may be considered as natural forest, and this regeneration is not by itself
considered as conversion to plantations. (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0)
Precautionary approach: An approach requiring that when the available information indicates
that management activities pose a threat of severe or irreversible damage to the environment or a
threat to human welfare, The Organization* will take explicit and effective measures to prevent the
damage and avoid the risks to welfare, even when the scientific information is incomplete or incon-
clusive, and when the vulnerability and sensitivity of environmental values are uncertain (Source:
Based on Principle 15 of Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992, and Wingspread
Statement on the Precautionary Principle of the Wingspread Conference, 23–25 January 1998).
Pre-harvest [condition]: The diversity, composition, and structure of the forest* or plantation prior
to felling timber and appurtenant activities such as road building.
Principle: An essential rule or element; in FSC’s case, of forest stewardship (Source: FSC-STD-
01-001 V4-0).
Protection: See definition of Conservation.
Protection Area: See definition of Conservation Zone.
Publicly available: In a manner accessible to or observable by people generally (Source: Collins
English Dictionary, 2003 Edition).
Rare species: Species that are uncommon or scarce, but not classified as threatened. These species
are located in geographically restricted areas or specific habitats, or are scantily scattered on a large
scale. They are approximately equivalent to the IUCN (2001) category of Near Threatened (NT),
including species that are close to qualifying for, or are likely to qualify for, a threatened category
in the near future. They are also approximately equivalent to imperiled species (Source: Based on
IUCN. (2001). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. IUCN Species Survival Com-
mission. IUCN. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK).
Ratified: The process by which an international law, convention or agreement (including multilat-
eral environmental agreement) is legally approved by a national legislature or equivalent legal*
mechanism, such that the international law, convention or agreement becomes automatically part
of national law or sets in motion the development of national law to give the same legal* effect
(Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Reasonable: Judged to be fair or appropriate to the circumstances or purposes, based on general
experience (Source: Shorter Oxford English Dictionary).

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Reduced impact harvesting: Harvesting (or logging) using techniques to reduce the impact on the
residual stand (Source: Based on Guidelines for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiver-
sity in Tropical Timber Production Forests, IUCN 2006).
Refugia: An isolated area where extensive changes, typically due to changing climate or by dis-
turbances such as those caused by humans, have not occurred and where plants and animals typical
of a region may survive (Source: Glen Canyon Dam, Adaptive Management Program Glossary as
provided on website of Glen Canyon Dam website).
Representative Sample Areas: Portions of the Management Unit* delineated for the purpose of
conserving or restoring viable examples of an ecosystem that would naturally occur in that geo-
graphical region.
Resilience: The ability of a system to maintain key functions and processes in the face of stresses
or pressures by either resisting or adapting to change. Resilience can be applied to both ecological
systems and social systems (Source: IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA).
2008. Establishing Marine Protected Area Networks – Making it Happen. Washington D.C.: IUCN-
WCPA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and The Nature Conservancy.).
Restore / Restoration: These words are used in different senses according to the context and in
everyday speech. In some cases ‘restore’ means to repair the damage done to environmental values
that resulted from management activities or other causes. In other cases ‘restore’ means the for-
mation of more natural conditions in sites which have been heavily degraded or converted to other
land uses. In the Principles and Criteria, the word ‘restore’ is not used to imply the recreation of
any particular previous, pre-historic, pre-industrial or other pre-existing ecosystem (Source: FSC-
STD-01-001 V5-0).
The Organization* is not necessarily obliged to restore those environmental values that have been
affected by factors beyond the control of The Organization, for example by natural disasters, by
climate change, or by the legally authorized activities of third parties, such as public infrastructure,
mining, hunting or settlement. FSC-POL-20-003 The Excision of Areas from the Scope of Certifi-
cation describes the processes by which such areas may be excised from the area certified, when
appropriate.
The Organization is also not obliged to restore environmental values that may have existed at some
time in the historic or pre-historic past, or that have been negatively affected by previous owners or
organizations. However, The Organization is expected to take reasonable measures to mitigate,

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control and prevent environmental degradation which is continuing in the Management Unit as a
result of such previous impacts.
Riparian zone: Interface between land and a water body, and the vegetation associated with it.
Risk: The probability of an unacceptable negative impact arising from any activity in the Manage-
ment Unit combined with its seriousness in terms of consequences (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-
0).
Scale: A measure of the extent to which a management activity or event affects an environmental
value or a management unit, in time or space. An activity with a small or low spatial scale affects
only a small proportion of the forest each year, an activity with a small or low temporal scale occurs
only at long intervals (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Scale, intensity and risk: See individual definitions of the terms ‘scale’, ‘intensity’, and ‘risk’.
Significant: For the purposes of Principle 9, HCVs 1, 2 and 6 there are three main forms of recog-
nizing significance.
o A designation, classification or recognized conservation status, assigned by an interna-
tional agency such as IUCN or Birdlife International;
o A designation by national or regional authorities, or by a responsible national conserva-
tion organization, on the basis of its concentration of biodiversity;
o A voluntary recognition by the manager, owner or Organization, on the basis of availa-
ble information, or of the known or suspected presence of a significant biodiversity con-
centration, even when not officially designated by other agencies.
Any one of these forms will justify designation as HCVs 1, 2 and 6. Many regions of the world
have received recognition for their biodiversity importance, measured in many different ways. Ex-
isting maps and classifications of priority areas for biodiversity conservation play an essential role
in identifying the potential presence of HCVs 1, 2 and 6 (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Silviculture: The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health and
quality of forests and woodlands to meet the targeted diverse needs and values of landowners and
society on a sustainable basis (Source: Nieuwenhuis, M. 2000. Terminology of Forest Management.
IUFRO World Series Vol. 9. IUFRO 4.04.07 SilvaPlan and SilvaVoc).
Stakeholder: See definitions for ‘affected stakeholder’ and ‘interested stakeholder’.
Statutory law or statute law: The body of law contained in Acts of Parliament (national legisla-
ture) (Source: Oxford Dictionary of Law).

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Tenure: Socially defined agreements held by individuals or groups, recognized by legal* statutes
or customary practice, regarding the ‘bundle of rights and duties’ of ownership, holding, access
and/or usage of a particular land unit or the associated resources there within (such as individual
trees, plant species, water, minerals, etc.) (Source: World Conservation Union (IUCN). Glossary
definitions provided on IUCN website).
Threat: An indication or warning of impending or likely damage or negative impacts (Source:
Based on Oxford English Dictionary).
Threatened species: Species that meet the IUCN (2001) criteria for Vulnerable (VU), Endangered
(EN) or Critically Endangered (CR), and are facing a high, very high or extremely high risk of
extinction in the wild. These categories may be re-interpreted for FSC purposes according to offi-
cial national classifications (which have legal* significance) and to local conditions and population
densities (which should affect decisions about appropriate conservation measures) (Source: Based
on IUCN. (2001). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. IUCN Species Survival
Commission. IUCN. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.).
Timber harvesting level: The actual harvest quantity executed on the Management Unit*, tracked
by either volume (e.g. cubic meters or board feet) or area (e.g. hectares or acres) metrics for the
purpose of comparison with calculated (maximum) allowable harvest levels.
Timely manner: As promptly as circumstances reasonably allow; not intentionally postponed by
The Organization*; in compliance with applicable laws, contracts, licenses or invoices.
Traditional Knowledge: Information, know-how, skills and practices that are developed, sustained
and passed on from generation to generation within a community, often forming part of its cultural
or spiritual identity (Source: based on the definition by the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO). Glossary definition as provided under Policy / Traditional Knowledge on the WIPO web-
site).
Traditional peoples: Traditional peoples are social groups or peoples who do not self-identify as
indigenous and who affirm rights to their lands, forests and other resources based on long estab-
lished custom or traditional occupation and use (Source: Forest Peoples Programme (Marcus Col-
chester, 7 October 2009)).
Uphold: To acknowledge, respect, sustain and support (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Use rights: Rights for the use of resources of the Management Unit that can be defined by local
custom, mutual agreements, or prescribed by other entities holding access rights. These rights may

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restrict the use of particular resources to specific levels of consumption or particular harvesting
techniques (Source: FSC-STD-01-001 V5-0).
Verifiable targets: Specific goals, such as desired future forest conditions, established to measure
progress towards the achievement of each of the management objectives*. These goals are ex-
pressed as clear outcomes, such that their attainment can be verified and it is possible to determine
whether they have been accomplished or not.
Very limited portion: The area affected shall* not exceed 0.5% of the area of the Management
Unit* in any one year, nor affect a total of more than 5% of the area of the Management Unit*
(Source: based on FSC-STD-01-002 V1-0 FSC Glossary of Terms (2009)).
Domestic waste materials: unusable or unwanted substances or by-products, such as:
o Hazardous waste, including chemical waste and batteries;
o Containers;
o Motor and other fuels and oils;
o Rubbish including metals, plastics and paper; and
o Abandoned buildings, machinery and equipment.
Water bodies (including water courses): Seasonal, temporary, and permanent brooks, creeks,
streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Water bodies include riparian or wetland systems, lakes, swamps,
bogs and springs.
Water scarcity: A water supply that limits food production, human health, and economic develop-
ment. Severe scarcity is taken to be equivalent to 1,000 cubic meters per year per person or greater
than 40% use relative to supply (Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. 2005. Ecosystems
and Human Well-Being: Policy Responses. Findings of the Responses Working Group. Washing-
ton DC: Island Press, Pages 599-605).
Water stress: Occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain
period or when poor quality restricts its use. Water stress causes deterioration of freshwater re-
sources in terms of quantity (aquifer over-exploitation, dry rivers, etc.) and quality (eutrophication,
organic matter pollution, saline intrusion, etc.) (Source: UNEP, 2003, cited in Gold Standard Foun-
dation. 2014. Water Benefits Standard).
Wetlands: Transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic systems in which the water table is
usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water (Source: Cowarding, L.M.,
Carter, V., Golet, F.C., Laroe, E.T. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the
United States. DC US Department: Washington).

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Under the Ramsar Convention, wetlands can include tidal mudflats, natural ponds, marshes, pot-
holes, wet meadows, bogs, peatlands, freshwater swamps, mangroves, lakes, rivers and even some
coral reefs (Source: IUCN, No Date, IUCN Definitions – English).
Workers: All employed persons including public employees as well as ‘self-employed’ persons.
This includes part-time and seasonal employees, of all ranks and categories, including laborers,
administrators, supervisors, executives, contractor employees as well as self-employed contractors
and sub-contractors (Source: ILO Convention C155 Occupational Safety and Health Convention,
1981).

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