In some countries farmers fear that by planting trees they lose control of their land, because traditionally permits have been required before the trees can be cut or harvested. Attitudes of government bureaucracies must be changed from en- forcement to extension and from policing to promoting before local groups can be expected to enter into a partnership for stewardship of forests. It appears better to separate into separate agencies enforcement of forest regu- lations, on the one hand, and promotion of forest stewardship, on the other. In this way, forestry extensionsts are not required to perform both functions and risk losing local trust in so doing. Distribution of benefits.
Community forestry is a long-term commitment with risks of failure.
Without systems for short-term income and protection against loss, many communities will be unable to take part. This is especially true for poor ones on marginal lands where trees may be the most environ- mentally useful. Contracts with large numbers of local groups and communities are required to have an effect on halting forest loss and fostering sustainable forest stewardship. This places new burdens on government agencies charged with preparing contracts, negotiating agreements, and over- seeing compliance.