This paper examines the basic contents of the 1994 forest law, and Bulu forest tenure in order to clarify in which ways management and exploitation rights on forest resources are conceptualised. The purpose of this is to show that these different rule systems differ, and contradict each other in a variety of aspects. It can be expected that any attempt to implement the law will be significantly affected by the existing conditions of legal pluralism. The argument will be put forward that any new intervention onto the current management and exploitation regime therefore have to take these conditions into account.