Environmental Conservation for the 21st Century
Agro forestry systems, Cameroon
Environmental resources are a common inheritance of all humankind that needs to be hold in shared trust for a common future. In many communities around Muanenguba – Bakossi forest eco region, 80 per cent of people gain their living from the use of natural resources, yet still has some of the worst socio-economic indicators in Cameroon. The local communities heavily depend on the forest for their basic needs such as bush meat, firewood, food, medicines, building materials, water etc. Some of the products are used for culture, subsistence and as elements of trade. Much about forest conservation is yet to be known by the local populations. This has had a setback on conservation initiatives on several instances. Biological research occupies a pride of place in the objectives of their projects so little or no time is spent on educating the local people on forest conservation issues. Local populations have not been able to take advantage of the new Cameroon forestry law of 1994. This is as a result of low capacity of members of the local communities to participate in community forestry initiatives and poor enforcement of the law. Other physical evidences that warrant conservation work in this area include- increased farming practices extended even on slopes, increased distances for collectors of NTFPs, dry valleys within the region.
Approach to Self-Reliance
Conservation Initiative
PFPF is involving communities in forest management and food security with the aim to protect the Muanenguba-Bakossi Mountains eco-region and ensure the economic and social well-being of dependent communities. We promote community-based natural resource management through the development of land use plans and participatory monitoring with focus on income generating activities. They are equally enhancing community development and appropriate technology initiatives: These projects economic development project create access for infrastructural development for example portable water systems, bridges, farm to market roads, community halls etc. and access to micro finance savings and credit.
Program Update
.• We have successfully worked with 10 villages Community Forestry/Wildlife Law sensitization in meetings of 3 clusters. Two village forest management committee formed and baseline study and potential areas for planting prunus Africana in four communities and also identify.
• In 2007 it supported community tree planting by establishing three nurseries with a capacity of 20,464 seedlings in the Muanenguba forest area (Muakwe, Nkack and Mbat). The species planted were indigenous tree species like Prunus africana, Kola nuts, and Njangsang.
• Chimpanzees as well as other endangered primates, such as Drill, live in the forested areas around the Bakossi landscape. PFPF have done a rapid assessment of Chimpanzee in a number of forests and identified nesting environments.
• We carried out baseline surveys of three main eco tourism sites that were identified during the previous conference with the Bangem council. We also held small workshops with the local councils to explain the aims and initiated questionnaires drawing out important information and views on the topic of eco-tourism.
• Supported local farming groups, particularly in alternative protein sources – poultry and pig farming and are currently trying to initiate the domestication and farming of grass cutters. Six self-help groups supported in maize development program. Two Communities supported to realize a goat ranch and an oil palm cottage industry projects. Bekume Community water rehabilitate project.
• Identification and assessment of Bee and Fish farming activities in the area to get farming methods and problems encountered by the groups. Conducted two major bee farming workshops in Bangem and Nyandong around the Bakossi national park
Water Issues
Water collection point, Communities need help
Water problems intensify
