Available at https://books.google.co.tzApproximately 40 percent of total land area of Tanzania, equivalent to 33.5 million hectares, is covered by forests and woodlands. In term of economic value Zahabu (2006) estimated that if forest resources were managed in a suitable and efficient manner, the sectors’ contribution could be between US$ 1.3 and 3.0 billion per year. However, almost two-third of Tanzania forest land consist of public land that typical lacks proper management and is subject to severe pressure. Most of the land is owned by the government but under de facto open access. Shortage of land and unclear tree and land tenure, particular for women, have hampered forestry investment on private and village lands. This chapter provides an overview of forest policy and land tenure reforms stretching from independence in the 1960s to the present. Unfortunately, these reforms have so far not solved the problems of deforestation and degradation, but national forest policy is undergoing reversions based on the principle that people who depends on forests must be involved in their management.