Ministry of Environment and Forestry

In 2023, the former Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation (MFRSC), the Department of Environment from the former Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture (MTEC) and the Department of Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) of the former Ministry of Energy and Meteorology (MEM) were merged to form a single Department of the then Ministry of Defence, National Security and Environment (DNSE) in the Prime Minsters Office. Later in 2023, they were moved to form a new Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The new Ministry comprises the departments of Forestry, Soil and Water Conservation, Range Resource Management, Environment, and Lesotho Meteorological Services. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry is dedicated to the sustainable management, conservation, and protection of Lesotho's natural resources. Our mandate is to ensure environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and to promote policies that address climate change and ecological challenges.

A country in which biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and widely utilized, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining the environment, and delivering benefits equitably to all its citizens.

To safeguard and enhance Lesotho’s natural environment through climate informed policies and strategies, rigorous enforcement of laws and regulations, innovative research and development, sustainable land management, and community engagement, thus fostering a thriving and resilient ecosystem.

•  Manage and conserve ecosystems and regenerate degraded landscapes for sustained services. 
• Develop, update and enforce compliance with legal environmental instruments. .
• Establish and support Community Based environmental programmes.
• Promote planting of trees (forests and fruit trees) for livelihoods improvement and sustainable environmental management.
• Promote sustainable utilization and management of rangeland resources. . Issue, monitor and enforce environmental impact assessment (EIA) licenses.
• Monitor the atmosphere and provide weather and climate information.
• Coordinate Ozone Layer protection and national climate change activities in the country. .
• Mainstream environmental and climate change issues into developmental activities.
• Promote effective water harvesting techniques among communities.
• Implement international environmental agreements including UNCCD, UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNFF and Chemical Conventions.
• Protect human health and environment against harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
• Phase-out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). . Disseminate information on environmental issues.
• Mobilize resources for environmental programs. 
• Undertake research and development activities on environmental issues.