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AFRICA
CAMEROON
MDG7
Progress Towards Environmental Sustainability
Cameroon possesses a considerable biological diversity and natural
resources. Nearly 90% of African ecosystems are represented in the country.
In the last several decades, however, Cameroon has recorded significant
damage to its ecosystems following the unsustainable use and
exploitation of these resources. The 22 million hectares of forestland are
receding by about 100,000 hectares per year.The main causes of this damage
are: poaching, overgrazing, bush fires, population pressure, and fraudulent
exploitation of forestry resources for exportation, timber and firewood. In
Cameroon, the use of wood as an energy source by households is mainly due to
insufficient income.
NIGERIA
NgaoundÈrÈ
Ebolowa
CONGO
(Brazzaville)
In order to preserve the various ecosystems, the Government formulated a strategy on biodiversity and a Forestry and Environment
Sector Plan (FESP) that aims to increase compliance with international conventions and regional agreements. In addition, there is a
Framework Law on environmental management.
The proportion of households with access to safe drinking water remains low and the urban-rural disparities high; in 2001 it was
50.5% as against 44.2% in 1996. In 2001, 86.2% of households in urban areas had access to safe drinking water compared to 31.3%
of households in rural areas. Apart from the Centre (62.3%), Littoral (73.7%) and South-West (75.1%), the other provinces remain
below the national average.
QUICK FACTS
CURRENT PORTFOLIO BUDGET
Total UNDP-GEF and Co-Finance: $3,300,213
Total: $3,300,213
Cameroon: Community Pro-action Stimulates Reforestation 2
Ensuring a sustainable environment for the Cameroonian population
and the fulfillment of MDG 7 targets will necessitate several
efforts, including: seeking in collaboration with the population alternative
solutions towards the preservation of the environment, building
the capacities of the communities through training and necessary
assistance so as to enable them to plan, manage and maintain
water infrastructure, reinstating the hygiene service in order to step
up the fight against poor sanitation, seeking means of replacing
wood to provide domestic energy, and facilitating access for the
underprivileged populations to electricity and cooking gas. 1
Satellite imagery and aerial photographs have revealed significant regeneration of the region thanks to this local community
management. As a result, forest-based economic activities have increased and the ecotourism potential has expanded. There
are now 25 community-based Forest Management Institutions actively managing their forests and over 19,500 hectares now
under community-based sustainable forestry management with an equal-sized area under government management.
BIODIVERSITY
Recognizing the successful, dynamic relationship between the project sites, the NGO and the Ministry, neighboring communities
have requested technical assistance in managing their forests.This project has demonstrated that sustainable forestry can have
rewards and thanks to the efforts of the local community, the level of endemic biodiversity has remained stable or improved.
GABON
CHAD
Bamenda
CENTRAL
Bafoussam AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
CAMEROON Bertoua
Douala
YaoundÈ
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
SPOTLIGHT
Montane forests are rapidly disappearing throughout much of the Bamenda Highlands region of Cameroon. Mount Kilum with
its 20,000 hectares stands as the largest remaining forest of the Cameroon Mountain Range, a major source of biodiversity and
livelihoods in West Africa. However, injudicious use of the area is threatening the numerous birds, reptiles and endemic or nearendemic
species of amphibians. Equally, the region’s water supply, firewood, fibres, and medicinal plants used by the local population
are all under stress.
With a US$ 1 million 2-year financing grant from the GEF provided in 2002, together with US$ 2 million in co-financing, UNDP
implemented a community-based conservation project in the Highlands. Communities adjacent to the forest participated in
designing the project, as well as CSOs, including traditional authorities, and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MINEF).
The NGO Birdlife International has also been working with local communities in the region since 1987 and continued their partnership
at one of the two project sites as the conservation began. 18 communities embarked on the community forestry
process and major support from the Government has fostered continued relationships in sustainable forestry management.
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