As discussed elsewhere in this paper, these demands for fuel wood and charcoal often lead to widespread deforestation and severe degradation of the natural resource base. These problems require a strategic, sustained, and well supported response involving such measures as ongoing tree planting and reforestation, improved charcoal production practices, and introduction of affordable alternative energy sources (particularly in urban areas). Participatory development of a national strategy provides a mechanism to identify options, set priorities, and begin to address this complex and extremely important issue.