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Rethinking Youth Capacity Development in Forest
Governance: the Case of Wabane Subdivision in
Cameroon
* 1,2 Fomengia Dominic Nkenglefac, 3 Mbunya Francis
Nkemnyi, and 4 Florence NgueiwohNyiawung
1 Resource Centre for Environment and Sustainable
Development (RCESD), Cameroon,
2 University of Dschang, Cameroon
3 Institute of Development Policy and Management
(IOB), University of Antwerp, Belgium.
4 Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
*E-mail for correspondence: dformengia@yahoo.com
Abstract
Building the capacity of and creating sustained
partnerships with youths are crucial strategies to
achieving sustainable forest governance (SFG).
Unfortunately, this has not been given adequate
attention in practice by the international and national
development stakeholders. The Wabane Subdivision in
the South West Region of Cameroon has an
approximate population of 45,000 inhabitants with
about 70% being youths. This study focused on how
building youth capacity can contribute to SFG and on
how different stakeholders have been involved in
developing youth capacity that foster SFG. We also
looked at the attitude and contributions of rural youths
towards SFG and the challenges involved. We used mix
survey methods including questionnaires, interviews,
focus group discussions and field observations. The
main findings showed that though youths are willing to
contribute positively toward SFG, they are faced with
many challenges including insufficient technical and
financial capacity coupled with poor livelihood
situations. We recorded that 57.7% of youths did not
complete primary education due to poor financial
situations, thus their engagements in forest-based
activities (subsistence farming, hunting, etc) and early
marriages. Pulling these arguments together, we
recommend potential strategies that may improve
youth capacity toward SFG.
Keywords: Capacity building, sustainable forest
governance, stakeholders and youth’s development.
Preliminary Survey on the Distribution, Feeding Habit
and Nesting of Yellow-Faced Parrot (Poicephalus
flavifrons) in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
*Kiroswelegerima, Meheretu Yonas, Tsegazeabe
Hadush, Solomon Kiros and Tadesse Dejenie
Department of Biology, Mekelle University, P.O. Box
3179, Mekelle, Ethiopia
*Email for correspondence: lezelalem16@yahoo.com
Abstract
The yellow-faced parrot (Poicephalus flavifrons) is
Ethiopian endemic species with poor recognition. In this
study, we surveyed current distribution, ecology and
major threats of the species in Tigray. The parrots were
surveyed by direct observation and informal interviews
with local residents to collect additional information in
the surveyed area. The parrots were distributed in the
south part of Tigray in a very fragmented area at the
foot of Hugumburda and Grakahsu forest priority areas.
Feeding sites were located in Waja, Arorsha, Tumuga,
Adiborie, Alamata, Kukfto and Werabayo, mostly in
residential backyards and agricultural fields including
irrigated areas. The only overnight roosting site was
located on the edge of Grakahsu forest. Daily activity of
the Yellow-faced parrot was peaked in the morning and
again in the afternoon. Overall, 21 plant species were
recorded as food of the yellow-faced parrot. The largest
feeding flock (15 individuals) was recorded feeding on a
single plant species of Acacia negrii at Werabayo. One
active nest with juveniles and other ten nests which
were in nest building stage were found at Adiborie and
Alamata. The new records of the species extend the
known range of the Yellow-faced parrot to northern
Ethiopia. The most common threats recorded both in
feeding and nesting site during the survey were habitat
fragmentation, anthropogenic disturbance and erosion.
This study provides baseline information and
supplements the required information necessary for
further detailed studies and conservation actions. The
parrot is a potential key stone species for the
conservation of Grakahsu and Hugumburda forests and
adjacent habitats.
Keywords:Anthropogenic disturbance, Conservation,
Distribution, Yellow-faced Parrot