Tier 1 · Framework law for forestry sector
Law 1 of February 3, 1994 — Panama Forestry Law
The Panamanian Forestry Law: framework statute defining forest property, harvesting, Forest Registry, competent authority, sanctions and the institutional base of the sector. All forestry activity — commercial, conservation, plantation — operates under this framework. Modified by Law 69/2017 (Article 91 derogated).
What this law defines
- Forest resource ownership — distinction between forests on public and private land.
- Forest harvesting — permits, management plans (PMF), regulation of logging and export.
- Forest Registry — public institution registering plantations and projects.
- Reforestation — technical definitions and registration procedures.
- Forest protected areas — interaction with SINAP (defined in Law 41/1998).
- Sanctions — fines and procedures for illegal logging or non-compliance.
- Competent authority — originally ANAM, today MiAmbiente after Law 8/2015.
Relevant modifications
Article 91 was derogated by Article 28 of Law 69 of 2017. This article was part of the forestry fiscal regime associated with Forest Registry registration. Other provisions remain in force except for implicit derogations by subsequent regulations.
Complete analysis · Law 1 of 1994
Article-by-article map: what remains in force, what was derogated by Law 69/2017, current Forest Registry procedure and cross-reference with modified Law 24/1992.
Or included in the Complete Legal Framework bundle USD 99.
Official sources
Original text: Official Gazette · February 3, 1994 · available via FAOLEX (FAO).
Modification: Law 69 of October 30, 2017, Article 28 (derogates Art. 91 of this law) · Assembly LEGISPAN.