cameroon fourth national report - Impact monitoring of Forest ...

Forage …………………………………… 300
Local fibre production …………………….. 70
Colouring/dying………………………………?
Public health and hygiene…………………….?
Construction of houses ………………about 300
Environment (ornamentals) …………………40
Energy………………………………………...?
Medicinal plants …………………………….820 (Nkongmenek 2007)
Englerondendion korupense Burgt (leguminosae) has been declared “Critically
Endangered” by IUCN because less than 50 trees are now found in Korup – its unique habitat.
Gleuma korupensis Burgt (Sapotaceae) is rare and unique to Korup; a natural wonder to the
Korup National Park. It can be 42m high with a trunk diameter of 2.4m. It is classified as
“Endangered” by IUCN classification list.
1.2.3.1.1 WILD FLORA DIVERSITY
While food and cash crop farming have been used as measures of conserving and
using biodiversity in a sustainable manner, forest production has been responsible for great
losses in biodiversity. It is reported that 80% of Cameroon forests are exploitable, (MINFOF
2008). Timber production has been going on in five provinces – the Eastern, Central, South,
Western, Littoral and lightly in the Western. About 100 concessions over an area of about 6.5
milliion hectares; 45% of the concession are awarded to nationals and 55% to expatriates.
Production in 2006 stood at 2 296 254 m 3. The evolution of timber production since 1998 is
shown in Annex III
It is shown in 2007 and 2008 that the first two species (Triplochiton and Tali) make up
68% of the timber export volume in Cameroon and 80% of the wood products are exported to
Asia (China and Vietnam) (MINFOF 2008)
1.2.3.1.2 CROP DIVERSITY
The crop diversity in Cameroon is very rich, impressive and contributes to the
country’s food security. The large varieties of ecosystems support a wide range of crop
diversity. The diversity includes main food-stuffs, fruits, vegetables, spices and medicinal
plants.
Although the main food items are generalized, there is a wide range on the choice food
items particularly the vegetables and spice food items. In the Cameroon tradition, every ethnic
group identifies itself with a range of foods and vegetable crops. Mbah (2008) reports that in
his Moghamo Clan, there are over 7 vegetable species and 9 yam species while Bokwe (2008)
outlined 15 generalized vegetables and 7 locally used for various Oroko dishes. Much of the
wild food and spices like the country onions, Bush Pepper and Eru which are originally
collected from the wild, are now under cultivation in some rural communities.
Production estimates on Cameroon crop diversity particularly in the food sector are
not very reliable. The cash crops estimates however, are fairly reliable because almost all the
production and sales pass through organized co-operative societies. Annex II. summarizes the
important cash and food crops in the various ecosystems. It is observed that the progressive
annual production increases result from increases in corresponding increases in cultivated
areas (e.g maize, cassava, plantains and palm oil) at least. The implication is that the impact
of agriculture on the environment and biodiversity is increasing. Adaptation measures must be
sought to put the situation under control.
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