Cameroon’s forests—spanning lowland rainforests, montane cloud forests, and mangroves—are ecological linchpins for biodiversity, climate regulation, and community livelihoods. Over 40% of the country’s land area remains forested, harboring species such as forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, and African grey parrots. However, pressures from logging, agricultural expansion, and urbanization have threatened these ecosystems. In response, government policies, NGOs, and community-based forestry initiatives aim to balance economic needs with conservation—championing reforestation, sustainable harvesting, and community forestry management.
Community forests—areas managed by local communities under contract with the government—represent a cornerstone of Cameroon’s forest strategy. Introduced in the 1994 forestry law, community forests legally grant villages rights to manage designated forest parcels (up to 5,000 ha) for timber harvesting, non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and eco-tourism. Villages near Eseka (Central Region) established community forests like Mboum Nkam and Mbappe, negotiating revenue-sharing agreements that fund local schools and health clinics. Training workshops—facilitated by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and WWF—teach villagers inventory methods, sustainable harvesting cycles, and bookkeeping, ensuring transparency and long-term viability.
Reforestation efforts complement community forestry. In the Western Highlands, the Djoum City Council launched a “Green Djoum” campaign in 2021 to combat deforestation after rampant clearing for cocoa plantations. Over 200,000 seedlings—comprising native species such as African cherry (Prunus africana), mahogany (Khaya senegalensis), and eucalyptus—were raised in nurseries and distributed to farmers on steep slopes. Agroforestry plots now integrate timber trees with food crops, reducing erosion and providing diversified incomes. Local youth and women’s groups receive stipends to tend nurseries, planting techniques, and maintenance schedules, transforming previously degraded land into productive, biodiverse forests.
International partnerships bolster reforestation. The Cameroon REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Secretariat, supported by the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), financed pilot projects in East Region’s Dja Faunal Reserve buffer zone. Villages bordering the reserve participated in agroforestry training, planted over 100 ha of mixed-species reforestation sites, and established tree nurseries. Carbon credit revenues—sold on voluntary carbon markets—provide annual income streams to participating communities, incentivizing long-term forest protection.
Mangrove restoration along the coast highlights climate adaptation. The Douala-Edéa Wildlife Reserve contains significant mangrove stands threatened by urban encroachment and pollution. WWF Cameroon and local fishing cooperatives initiated a “Mangrove Guardians” program: community members collect mangrove propagules, nurture them in floating nurseries, and replant them during high tides. Over 14 hectares of mangrove have been restored since 2022, strengthening natural barriers against coastal erosion and providing nurseries for juvenile fish—benefiting both biodiversity and local fisheries.
Wildlife corridors preserve gene flow between isolated forest patches. The Western Fauna Conservation Network (WFCN) identified critical corridors linking Korup National Park to Monte Alén National Park in Equatorial Guinea. Village chiefs along these corridors signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to restrict logging and hunting. Participatory mapping exercises—led by local NGOs—delineate corridors using GPS devices and community knowledge. Rangers patrol corridor zones monthly, recording signs of illegal activities and reporting to forest authorities.
Agroforestry associations in the Northwest highlands cultivate shade-grown coffee and cocoa under native tree canopies—aligning with reforestation goals. Coffee farmers near Dschang plant indigenous shade trees like albizia and harungana, improving coffee bean quality and enhancing habitat connectivity for forest wildlife. These systems store more carbon per hectare compared to monoculture plantations, generating “agroforestry premiums” when beans sell under sustainability certifications like Rainforest Alliance and Bird Friendly.
Environmental education fosters stewardship among youth. Schools in Yaoundé integrate forestry modules into science curricula: students visit Mefou National Park to learn about primate conservation and forest ecosystems. Youth clubs participate in annual tree-planting campaigns on International Day of Forests (March 21) and World Environment Day (June 5), planting over 10,000 seedlings nationwide in 2024. Dr. Baribwo’s “Green Schools” initiative installs tree nurseries on school grounds, where students learn nursery management—from seed collection to germination and transplanting—instilling lifelong conservation values.
Challenges remain: illegal logging by commercial concessions, charcoal production in northern Adamawa, and slash-and-burn agriculture in southern regions. Enforcement gaps—exacerbated by limited funding for forest services—enable unsustainable exploitation. To address this, mobile forest-monitoring apps—such as Global Forest Watch (GFW) partner ForestWatchers—enable communities and rangers to record illegal activities via smartphones and satellite imagery. Reports trigger rapid response teams dispatched by forestry brigades.
Eco-tourism supports conservation funding. Guest lodges near Campo Ma’an National Park offer guided forest treks, primate tracking, and community homestays—proceeds shared with park stakeholders. Visitors to Lobéké National Park contribute to wildlife monitoring programs—analyzing camera-trap data to track elephant and bongo populations. Local guides, often former poachers, leverage intimate forest knowledge to lead safe, informative tours—transforming poaching expertise into conservation skills.
Cameroon’s “Green Cameroon” agenda—integrated into the National Development Strategy 2020–2030—sets targets to increase forest cover to 45% by 2035 and reduce carbon emissions by 32%. Success hinges on multi-stakeholder collaboration: government agencies, NGOs, private sector, and communities. Through community forestry, reforestation, and sustainable land-use practices, Cameroon strives to preserve its invaluable forests—ensuring ecological resilience and livelihoods for current and future generations.
