differenc·os especi ally between the stands with and without Rrica a rborea,rnWere seen in most of the vRriables dmsi de r ad . Based on the findingsrnthe vegetation on the Vlestern Slopes was divided into four cate.I'oriesrnwi th mor e problems in categories 2 and 4 which Were affected by burningrnand de ffo re station re spa cti ve ly. Be fore the p r oblems e xte nd to Ca tegorie srn1 and ), it i s suggested that ways and means should be sought to decreaserndefforestation (in category 4) and substituk ' it by reaffor estationrnp r ogramme; 9.nd mini mize animal rearing (in category 2) which mi ght oecr easernthe fire hazards in the area dominated by Erica a rborea .