The Rainforests of Cameroon - PROFOR

60 The Rainforests of CameroonBox 3.8—continued• Clarifying the roles of different players in forest monitoring and followingup on offenses and sanctions, based on the legal and regulatory framework• Helping to monitor the implementation of recommendations and decisionsfrom CCU missions undertaken with the independent observerBetween June 2001 and March 2005, GW undertook 171 missions as independentobserver. During its tenure, GW reported consistent violations of thelaw. Although infractions declined temporarily within UFAs, eventually out-ofboundarylogging seemed to have been replaced by overharvesting certainspecies within concessions. From April 2005 to February 2007, REM visited morethan 100 forestry operations (UFAs, ventes de coupe, community forests, andsmall titles). REM noted a reduction in logging in managed forests but a sharpincrease in irregularities related to the origin of timber, such as false declarationsof measurements or species in transport bills. More than 63 percent of infractionsfell into this category.executed. Relations between independent observers and the groups theymonitor, especially the Forest Control Brigade, have been and are likelyto remain tense, but they have yielded results and are expected to continueto do so. Their reports increase public interest and awareness, notablythrough a network of local organizations that widely disseminate theresults. The government’s willingness to submit to the highly public andoften severe criticism of the independent observers signals an unwaveringcommitment to transparency.Notes1. At one time, a portion of the concessions was reserved for bids byCameroonian nationals. This measure, lifted in 2001, was reinstatedduring the last bidding rounds.2. The floor price is Delivered $4.20 (CFAF by The World 2,500) Bank per e-library hectare to: per year for ventesThe World Bankde coupe and $1.70 (CFAF IP : 1,000) 192.86.100.34 per hectare per year for UFA concessions).Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:06:183. Although this outcome is clear, its causes are difficult to identifywith precision. Bids may have risen because firms wished to secure(c) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank