1.1 The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan Article 5 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan makes it clear that: "Every Bhutanese is a trustee of the Kingdom's natural resources and environment". The Royal Government is enjoined in the Constitution to conserve and improve the environment and safeguard the country's biodiversity. It is further directed to secure sustainable development while promoting economic and social development. The Constitution further charges the Government to ensure that a minimum of 60 % of Bhutan's total land area is maintained under forest cover for all time. 1.2 Evolution of forest policy and legislation