This is the final version of the 'Code of practice for forest harvesting in Asia-Pacific', and was endorsed by Asian and Pacific countries at the 17th Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in February 1998. It is the product of joint AFPC/FAO efforts, and is intended to identify and encourage environmentally sound harvesting practices in the region. The code specifically provides a basis for subregional or national codes within the region, in order to guide harvesting practices in the absence of more localized codes. It outlines the key principles of improved harvesting in the Asia-Pacific, and particularly, harvesting with reduced environmental and social impacts. The code is fully consistent with sustainable forest management (SFM) approaches recommended by the UM Intergovernmental Panel on Forests. The code has 12 main sections: Introduction; Staff and stakeholder competencies; The need for forest planning; Forest harvest planning; Planning guidelines for harvest exclusion areas; Guidelines for roading and watercourse crossings; Pre-harvest field preparation; Harvesting operations; Harvesting equipment maintenance, servicing; Camp hygiene; Safety; and Fire precautions. A glossary is included.
