Benin law recognizing sacred forests and their custodian communities

In 2012, civil society and communities successfully lobbied the Benin Government to pass a national law (Interministerial Order No.0121) for the sustainable “management”, legal recognition, and integration of sacred forests as protected areas. The law recognizes sacred forests and sites where gods, spirits and ancestors reside, and that communities protect and govern sacred forests, and have a responsibility for implementing the “management” plan for the forest. It has been translated into English (an unofficial version) from the original French, with support from the African Biodiversity Network.