IBER/18 November 2013 Page 1

Guidelines for applying to enter Forest Reserves and Stateland

Forests from the Brunei Forestry Department

This is an internal document compiled by the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research

(IBER), UBD. The document provides an outline of the procedures to be followed by UBD staff and

students, as well as UBD research collaborators, in applying for entry permits and permission to

enter Forest Reserves and Stateland Forests of Brunei Darussalam. The procedures outlined in this

document are effective from 12 September 2013, and have been reviewed and approved by the

Deputy Vice Chancellor of UBD and by the Forestry Department, MIPR.

Background

The Forestry Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, is the primary

government agency responsible in the management and administration of the forest

resources of Brunei Darussalam, under the Forest Act, Chapter 46, Laws of Brunei. The

Forestry Department has the sole right to the overall planning, development and

management of forest land which has been gazetted as Forest Reserve (see Appendix 1).

The Forestry Department is also responsible in administering forest resources on Stateland

Forests.

The Director of the Forestry Department is

Mr. Hj Saidin Bin Hj Salleh,

Director, Forestry Department,

Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources,

Jalan Menteri Besar,

Bandar Seri Begawan, BB 3910,

Brunei Darussalam.

Fax: 2381012

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Procedures for UBD staff, students and research collaborators

(I) For research projects

1. Permission to enter and conduct research in Forest Reserves or Stateland Forests is

obtained by completing FORM 7 provided by the Forestry Department. FORM 7 must be

filled in by the lead UBD-based scientist for the project (see Checklist for FORM 7).

2. Submit the completed FORM 7, with a cover letter, to Director IBER at least three (3)

weeks prior to entry to the requested Forest Reserve or Stateland Forest. (Note:

Forestry Department requires minimum of two (2) weeks to process the applications).

3. Submissions of softcopies of FORM 7, or submissions from individual researchers not

endorsed by IBER, will not be entertained by the Forestry Department.

4. Upon receipt of the completed FORM 7 and cover letter, IBER will issue a letter to

endorse the application.

5. The applicant can ask IBER to facilitate and deliver their application to the Forestry

Department via normal mail. Alternatively, the applicant can personally deliver all

endorsed documents in person to the Forestry Department.

6. Once the application is approved by the Forestry Department, a Use permit will be

issued to the research team. The Use permit will be carbon copied to the Royal Brunei

Police Force (RBPF), Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), the Biodiversity Research and

Innovation Centre (BioRIC) and Director IBER.

7. Applicants are reminded to acknowledge the Forestry Department in publications and to

provide a copy of all publications to IBER and to Forestry Department.

Checklist for FORM 7

1. Details of group leader (i.e. UBD academic staff leading the project) – include IC (for

Bruneians) or passport copy (for expatriates).

2. Details of group members – include IC (for Bruneians) or passport copy (for expatriates).

3. GPS coordinates and map of locations (the map can be a Google Earth map).

4. Duration of project – The entry permit can be valid for the duration of the project, but

the permit can be renewed only for a maximum of one year.

5. A project proposal.

6. If the research project involves sample collection, details of samples to be collected

should be specified in the Form 7.

7. UBD approval letter for the project.

8. Cover letter from Director IBER (for research projects conducted through IBER) or from

the respective Faculty Deans (for research projects conducted through the Faculties).

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UBD staff, students and research collaborators who have been issued with entry permits

and permission to conduct research in Forest Reserves and Stateland forests are reminded

to ALWAYS carry a hardcopy of the permit with them when at the field sites.

(II) For field-based practicals and teaching

1. Permission to enter Forest Reserves or Stateland Forests for field-based practicals and

teaching is obtained by writing in to the Director of Forestry Department through the

respective Faculty Dean. There is no need to fill in FORM 7.

2. A cover letter must be submitted by the module coordinator or lecturer in charge to the

Director of Forestry Department through their Faculty Dean at the start of a semester.

Director IBER should be included in the carbon copy of this letter.

3. The cover letter should include the list of staff and students, the locations to be visited

and the purpose and dates of the visits. When class lists are not available at the start of

the semester, the module coordinator or lecturer is asked to submit the complete name

list at least three (3) days before the practical or field trip via fax to the Forestry

Department (Attn: Head, Permit and Licensing Unit – Fax: 2381012).

4. Lecturers are reminded to ensure the group abides by the Forest Act and the Laws of

Brunei Darussalam.

IBER/18 November 2013 Page 4

Appendix 1

Courtesy: Brunei Forestry Department