**1.4 The larger forest sector and national context**

In the larger forest sector and national context: (i) Makerere University was in the process of re-orienting its curriculum to incorporate courses in community forestry; (ii) Decentralization process aimed at creating strong local level administration; planning at the sub-county level is today nearer to the local users than before when it was done at the district level; (iii) as a result of decentralization, environmental committees at the Local Council levels were already being formed and it was envisaged that forest management issues could be addressed in these committees; (iv) the wide range of actors already operating in the forest sector provided a good opportunity for an agency like FD to play a catalytic role in integrating management efforts.

## **1.5 The community perspective**

From the community side, concern was already being expressed about environmental degradation in the context of appreciating the value of the forest. Community members also exhibited behavioural changes, such as reporting of illegal harvesting. They also expressed willingness to take responsibility for the management of the forest so long as they can benefit from it.
