The two previous projects KMFP (Kilum Mountain Forest Project) and IMFP (Ijim Mountain Forest Project) have been in operation since 1987 and 1992 respectively (JFS 101) and have achieved major development and conservation successes during that time. This is most notable when comparing the remaining forests at Kilum and Ijim with other forest remnants in the surrounding area, which have all but disappeared over the intervening period. The continued existence of healthy breeding populations of the key threatened bird species whose survival depends on these forests, demonstrate the 'health' of the forest. There has been a high level of support for, and collaboration in, project activities by the local communities whose livelihoods depend, in very large measure, on the health of the forests and on the natural resources the forests can supply on a sustainable basis into the future.

These projects were to have been completed in 1996, but have been extended to take advantage of new opportunities created by the 1994 forestry legislation of Cameroon. This new legislation permits the designation of Kilum and Ijim as community forests. While this appears to be the correct approach and appropriate at the local level, it is a new approach in Cameroon and it will take time to develop and strengthen both local and government institutions necessary to ensure effective community forest management and conservation beyond the life of the projects.

To conserve representative areas of the Cameroon montane forest biome in the long term.

To maintain the biodiversity extent and ecological processes of the Kilum/Ijim forest and promote sustainable use of the forest by the local communities.

• An effective participatory community-based management (CFM) system for conservation and sustainable use is in place and functioning.
• Forest boundary and established conservation regulations are respected during the transition to CFM.
• Methodology for establishing CFM is established by year 4.
• Effective CFM institutions are created and functioning.
• Forest uses are maximised within sustainable limits.
• Communities, traditional authorities and Government have the capacity to implement community forest management.
• Local communities are capable of implementing CFM.
• Local MINEF staff are capable of implementing CFM.
• Local traditional authorities are capable of implementing CFM.
• Local government administration is capable of implementing CFM.
• The conditions necessary to enable CFM at a local level are created.
• The conditions necessary to enable CFM are created by MINEF.
• Local livelihoods are improved in ways compatible with maintaining the forest.
• Productivity of land surrounding the forest is sustainably improved.
• Incomes from marketed products are increased.
• Birth rate is decreased.
• A permanent system is in place for monitoring the effectiveness of forest management.
• An ecological monitoring system is in place and functioning.
• A system for monitoring forest management institutions is in place and functioning.