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Burundi forestry came in the limelight owing to a rapid decline in the number of forests. This decline prompted the authorities into rapid action and frame the forestry policy. During the 1970s measures were undertaken to demarcate the boundaries of forests and to ensure that they were not been tampered with. The concerned authorities set about on a large scale afforestation agenda. The period of 1980s witnessed a heightening of this concern and the forests were looked upon as a potential resource base. The adoption and implementation of the forest code of 1985 and the land law of 1986 were seen as progressive measures in forest conservation. The war of 1993, however, posed a serious threat to the forests. Forestry in Burundi faced a major crisis owing to the emergency. Deforestation for the purpose of clearing the land and bush fires was rampant. It not only destroyed the forests but also affected the fertility of the land. The forestry sector in Burundi is plagued with several problems. The laws specified need to be substantiated and the infrastructure and human resources to successfully employ these forest management tools are insufficient. Planning and effective implementation is the need of the hour. The absence of qualified professionals, lack of sufficient financial resources, displacement of population also hampers the process.
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