UDK 630*68(497.6)          630*9(497.6) In order to define functional model of governing of forest resources in F B-H, as well as efficient and effective organizational model of the forest enterprises, qualitative research has been conducted for the purposes of this paper. Through direct interviewing of all key forest policy decision makers in F B-H, opinions and attitudes about these questions were collected. Based on analysis of interest groups importance as well as influence and involvement in the process of creation of the functional forest governing model in F B-H - functional governing model has been proposed with clear emphasis of advantages concerning present model. Principles of sustainable governing and management of forest resources, assurance of participative approach in the process of decision making and transparency were basis for definition of functional governing model for management of forest resources. For provision of optimal model of organization of forest sector in F B-H, it has been crucial to define ecological, sociological, economical and other criteria, that user of forest resources should respect. The optimal number of organizational units, which manage forest resource on the territory of F B-H, depends from the achievement of the established criteria and real capacities for establishment of the enterprise. This would lead to further decentralization in management of forest resources in F B-H; that would have its positive effects.

UDK 630*93:502(497) Within last few years, all Western Balkan countries have adopted new forest legislation aiming to introduce internationally accepted concepts of forest management. Due to specific social, political and economical realities that these countries have passed through, a number of nature protection regulations have been integrated into forest legislation. This paper compares nature protection regulations in Laws on Forests in Croatia (2005), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2002) and Serbia (2010). It examines differences and commonalities in above mentioned Laws. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the level of consistencies between Laws on Forests and Laws on Nature Protection in Croatia (2005), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2003) and Serbia (2009) in terms of “openness” and “greening” of forest related legislation. The results show that protection regulations within forest legislation, particularly those referring to forests with special management regime, can be strengthened by introducing the concept of high conservation value forests (HCVF). This concept includes also strategic changing of forestry sector position - from an inferior towards more proactive role in nature protection dialogue. The results of this paper can contribute to further improvements of current countries’ forest related legislation in domain of analyzed issues as well as creation of consistent forest and nature protection policies aimed at fostering cross-sectoral dialogue and cooperation.