With the encouragement of international donor partners, the Government of Cameroon (GoC) has introduced new legislation to ensure the sustainable management of its considerable forest resources. At the centre of these changes is a revised categorisation of forests into permanent forest estate (PFE) and non-permanent forest estate (NPFE). While much of the new legal framework concentrates on issues of commercial timber exploitation within the PFE, there is for the first time a clear acceptance at the national policy level of the need to recognise the needs and wishes of rural people, and to incorporate them fully into the management of forest resources in NPFE. This recognition of the need for partnership is matched by a recognition that the Cameroonian forest authorities lack the experience and skills needed to implement a participatory programme of community forestry management as conceived within the new law.

The Community Forestry Development Project (CFDP) originates from DFID's earlier work with the Forest Management and Regeneration Project (FMRP) and a proposal to develop a forestry extension component to support tree planting and community forest management.

To help establish effective community-based forest planning and management in Cameroon.

• Community Forestry Unit (CFU) established in DF.
• Legal and institutional framework of CFPM defined.
• Improved understanding of traditional natural resource management experience in Cameroon.
• Awareness raised among DF field staff and rural people about implications of new forest policy and law.
• Preparations for piloting CFPM completed.
• Consultation procedures for establishment of permanent forest reserves and plan for their implementation developed.