Cameroon's National Forestry Action Programme can be considered as having been operational since 1991, with the establishment of a Planning and Monitoring/Evaluation Socio-Economic Studies Unit. The NFAP outlined the measures needed to give the country the basic instruments for harmonious forest management. The sector has been completely revamped in terms of institutions, legislation and the organization of forest land use. These reforms were undertaken in a participatory manner. They reflect the NFAP philosophy and take into account the new concepts, strategies and conventions that have been adopted internationally for forests (sustainable development, the convention on Biological Diversity, the Forest Principles of Agenda 21).
A new and unequivocal Ministry of the Environment and Forests has been established to provide Cameroon with an appropriate institutional framework for the focused management of its forest resources. A Forest Development Office (ONADEF) has also been set up, confirming Cameroon's concern to render its forest operations on the ground more effective, and testifying to its willingness to use some of its forest earnings for forest development. ONADEF is in fact financed by a share of forest income. A forest zoning plan has been introduced for better organized forest land use and to ensure forest conservation.
A new forestry policy integrates the forestry sector with strategies to promote economic activities in rural areas. Its umbrella framework is the land-use (zoning) plan and it operates in support of agricultural policy. One of the major innovations of forestry policy is that it involves local communities, NGOs and economic operators. In this connection, the management of some forest stands may be delegated to the village communities on a contractual basis. The intention is that forestry policy be an important component of the National Plan for Environmental Management which is now being prepared. Particular emphasis will be placed on the sustainable development of forest resources. Forestry policy also needs to be seen as an ingredient of the National Energy Plan currently under discussion, particularly as regards the programme of action for fuelwood production.
Given these changes, the Forest Service has felt obliged to take a step back from the tree and view the forest as a whole. The forest should be seen as an ecosystem with multiple products and uses, not simply as a source of wood. A constant effort has been made to highlight the various aspects of forest resource management. The challenge for the forest developer is to reconcile the often conflicting needs of users.