ethnobotanical survey of the takamanda forest reserve - Impact ...

- Record the presence of wild flowering plants including epiphytes, ferns and orchids,
identify present uses, local names as well as potential for flori-culture or ornamental uses.
1.3 Cameroonian (MINEF)-German (GTZ) Project for the Protection of Forest around
Akwaya (PROFA)
The overall goal of the Project for the Protection of Forests around Akwaya (PROFA) is to
maintain the bio-diversity of the TFR as well as improve the living condition of people within its
border zones.
The following are the anticipated outputs of the first 3 project years that have orientation
character:
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o
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A draft forest management plan for the TFR is prepared and partly tested
The participatory forest management capacity of local population and MINEF Divisional
Delegation is strengthened in cooperation with all parties concerned
Traditional income generating activities and self-help initiatives of local population are
identified and a gender sensitive strategy, contributing to sustainable resource
management is developed and tested
The executing agency of PROFA is the Cameroonian Ministry of the Environment and Forestry
in Yaoundé, but the Divisional Delegation for Environment and Forestry for Manyu Division at
Mamfe is responsible for project steering and therefore the main implementing agency.
The first phase of PROFA is from 2000 – 2003. Dependend on the outcome the scope of the
project will be expanded to cover the near-by Mone Forest Reserve and the duration of the project
extended to twelve years including an implementation and a handing over phase.
To attain the project purpose, the appreciation and documentation of the relationship between
man and plants within the TFR areas becomes imperative.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 The Survey Team
The ethnobotanical survey team comprised of an Ethnobotanist/Botanist, a Forester, a local
Parataxonomist, two Village guides, and two Herbal Practitioners. The composition of the team
made the local identification of the useful plants easier, making the process of scientific
identification and/or collection of voucher specimens faster. The contribution of women in the
supply of specimens of plants used as vegetables, mushrooms, and condiments was invaluable.
Information on medicinal plants was recorded through the assistance of the herbal practitioners.
2.2 Vernacular Names
One main expectation of the study is to record the names of useful plant species in the languages
of the five ethnic groups selected. Slight similarities exist between the local languages Anyang
and Boki, Ovande, Becheve and Basho. A drawback in the use of local nomenclature is that in
some cases it not does distinguish between separate species e.g. Asystesia sp and Angylocalyx sp
in the Deyang language. However, vernacular names often give information on specific
characteristics and/or uses of the species and their habitat preferences.
The English alphabet was adapted for spelling of the vernacular names because alphabets of the
local languages are not documented.
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