This is particularly relevant now that, due to economic reforms and Structural Adjustment Programmes, the role of central government becomes more focused on policy development and the responsibility for implementation is devolved to districts and other decentralized structures. These shared management arrangements must take into account the local, national and global functions of the forest. This is often done through the promotion of sustainable use of forest products by local communities and the promotion of alternative products for forest products. There are many indirect factors which slowly and inexorably may be influencing the future of the natural forests and which are undermining their sustainable use. There is a need to think beyond conventional projects to new project structures designed to link together all actors in relation to the broader development issues.
Cooperation is necessary at different levels and between different sectors of society.
Some forests in East Africa are shared by two countries. Examples include the Mount Elgon Forest, shared by Kenya and Uganda, and the Sango Bay Minziro Forest complex, shared by Uganda and Tanzania. Proper management and conservation of these forests will need cooperation between the countries involved. Cooperation at national level Cooperation in the development of policy, legislation and planning between different government sectors and between the government and private and non-governmental institutions is required to address the complex underlying causes of the growing human pressures on the forest resources. Planning should be aimed at identifying, analyzing and understanding these underlying causes and on determining how these can be mitigated.