Deforestation is prohibited.
In exceptional cases a deforestation permit may be granted if the applicant proves that there are important reasons for the deforestation that outweigh the interest of forest conservation and, furthermore, the following conditions are fulfilled:
the proposed site must be essential to the works for which the deforestation is to be carried out;
the works must essentially fulfil the spatial planning requirements;
the deforestation does cause any serious threat to the environment.
Important reasons do not include financial interests, such as the potentially profitable use of the land or the low-cost acquisition of land for non-forestry purposes.
If the authorities have to decide whether to grant permission for the construction of installations for the generation of renewable energies and for energy transportation and distribution, when weighing up interests the national interest in constructing such installations is to be considered equal to other national interests.4
The protection of nature and cultural heritage must be taken into account.
A time limit shall be set for deforestation permits.