This case study is one of a series of publications produced by the Forest Products Service of FAO in an effort to promote environmentally sound forest harvesting and engineering practices. The purpose of these studies is to highlight both the promise of environmentally sound forest harvesting technologies as a component of sustainable forest management, and the constraints that must be overcome in order to assure widespread adoption of those technologies. The case study was conducted to highlight the impacts of pitsawing in Uganda and the approach of policy-makers to this industry. This report provides an assessment of current forest management practices, forest policies and laws with regard to pitsawing. The report also analyses the prevailing policies that have indirectly encouraged the emergence of the industry. The management policy has favoured the promotion of pitsawing in Natural Forest Reserves, with licences to operate up to four saws per sawyer under a strict zoning policy. There are many mobile sawmills, but all are licensed and working in the softwood plantations. However, there is a ban on the use of chainsaw and any motorized tool in timber production in natural forests. The study evaluates the effect of pitsawing operations on the community adjacent to the Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve in western Uganda.

Type of Case
Printed publication (book, sourcebook, journal article…)

Publisher
FAO

Region
Africa

Biome
Tropical

Forest Type
All forest types (natural and planted)

Primary Designated Function
Production