In 1983, a national forestry inventory was conducted through both the financial and technical support of the German government through GTZ. A land use classification was developed. A stand description with respect to tree species per hectare, percentage of stand with regeneration, density of regeneration as well as their silvicultural treatments was elaborated. Prior to this inventory, forest tree species were identified and classified into three categories: timber tree species, firewood species and non-wood material species.
Currently the inadequacy of government funding and political support limited the number of trained and qualified staff and as well inhibited the department’s involvement in research to provide basic information on tested silvicultural models and their treatments. Other areas for which research is desired are; studies on the impact of grazing and bush fire on natural regeneration and tree growth particularly the indigenous tree species; depleting rate of forest cover and its resources, as well as research in the areas of forest genetic resource conservation, utilization and marketing etc.
