Deforestation and forest degradation is very high and conspicuous in this area which has resulted into siltation of South Rukulu River which is almost drying out, destruction of M1 road with rock falls and landslides. The major causes of deforestation and forest degradation in the area are charcoal burning, un sanctioned settlements, steep slope cultivation and firewood vending. There is lack of ownership of the forests by communities hence charcoal producers and firewood venders have taken advantage of. The forestry policy empowers communities to manage such forests through the community based forest management which fosters forest ownership and user rights to those communities managing such forests.
Community based forest management project will address these challenges by ensuring that communities take control and ownership and user rights of these forests by developing forest management plans and sign management agreements with the district council. Beekeeping will be promoted so that communities generate income.

The project aims to arrest deforestation and forest degradation currently taking place in the said belt through community based forest management which will ensure that communities take control of the forest resources. Communities will develop participatory forest management plans in order to manage the indigenous forests. This will foster ownership and user rights to managing communities. Beekeeping as an income generating activity for communities will be encouraged