Forest Act (ForA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Aim
1 This Act is intended to: a. conserve the forest in its area and spatial distribution; b. protect the forest as a close-to-nature community; c. ensure that the forest can fulfil its functions, in particular its protective, social and economic functions (forest functions); d. promote and maintain the forestry sector. 2 It is furthermore intended to contribute to the protection of human life and important material assets against avalanches, landslides, erosion and rockfall (natural events).
Art. 2 Definition of forest
1 Forest is defined as any area that is covered with forest trees or forest shrubs and can fulfil forest functions. Origin, type of use and land registry designation are not decisive. 2 Also defined as forest are: a. grazing forests, wooded pastures and chestnut and walnut groves; b. unstocked or unproductive areas of a forest plot, such as clearings, forest roads and other forest structures and installations; c. plots subject to compulsory afforestation. 3 Isolated groups of trees and shrubs, hedges, avenues, gardens, planted areas and parks, tree plantations established on open ground for short-term use and trees and bushes on check dams and in the immediate foreground of such installations are not defined as forest. 4 Within the framework defined by the Federal Council, the cantons may determine the width, area and age, from which an area newly colonised by forest shall be defined as forest, and the width and area from which other wooded areas shall be defined as forest. If the wood
Art. 3 Forest conservation
Forest area should not be reduced.