This brief paper charted the development of a local management system for the Kilum and Ijim montane forests in Cameroon following the introduction of legislation to encourage community forestry. The authors, who conducted the research using participatory mapping, time-line analysis and informal surveys, found that several community rules existed to control use of the forests. Participants proposed further rules during discussions and identified a number of interest groups, defined by their ethnicity and major uses of the forests. In accordance with the new law, the next steps would be to categorise user groups more rigorously, create a management plan, establish monitoring and then legally devolve control to local people