Sustainable Forest Management with Social Development in Southeast Cameroon
Case Study C0047
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| Date | 2005 |
| Agency | World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) |
| Donor/support agency | Self |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Productive landscape |
| Geographic coverage | Cameroon |
| Locality | Jengi region in south east cameroon |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/Landscape and species |
| Development focus | Local communities of logging concessions |
| Conservation goals | Managing the forests sustainably |
| Poverty reduction goals | None |
Summary
GD (Groupe Decolvenaere) is a Belgian logging company that has two logging concessions and two wood processing sites in the dense forests of Jengi region in south east Cameroon. It used to operate without any environment concerns and logging operations were very unsustainable. In 1998, when World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) set up a conservation project in the area, the company was not happy with it. But slowly, WWF staff started raising awareness about the issue and importance of sustainable forest management in the local communities and the multinational companies working in the area. WWF trained company's staff in using the appropriate technologies like GPS satellite cyber tracking for their logging operations. They were informed about ecologically sensitive areas and corridors used by animals such as elephants and great apes. This technology was also used to track wildlife. Management plans were prepared for the logging areas. Each logging concession was divided into 2.5 sq. km plots where loggers could harvest timber from one plot every year. Company has also engaged in a social programme. It has improved hygiene and security in both at the processing sites and neighbouring villages. It employs 500 people, which have been offered free housing, electricity and drinking water. An unskilled labour employee earns about three times more than Cameroon's minimum wage. Company is supporting the local communities with a small-scale cattle-breeding programme that provides meat at production costs. It serves an alternative to bush meat and poaching. With the help of WWF, wildlife inventories for concession areas have been prepared to monitor their populations. Company is applying for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which will give it an edge in the market. As a result of the efforts of WWF, 22 logging concessions in the region have approved management plans. This has made logging much more environmentally and socially responsible.
Conservation impact
22 Logging concessions in the Jegi regions have adopted management plans. Companies like GD (Groupe Decolvenaere) have prepared wildlife inventories. They now adopt more sustainable logging practices.
Poverty reduction impact
The logging company has improved hygiene and security standards in both the processing sites and neighbouring villages. It employs 500 people, which have been offered free housing, electricity and drinking water. An unskilled labour employee earns about three times more than Cameroon's minimum wage. Company is supporting the local communities with a small-scale cattle-breeding programme that provides meat at production costs.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Local employment/job creation
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Reference 1
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/forests/news/news.cfm?uNewsID=18956
More information
WWF International, Avenue du Mont Blanc, CH 1196 Gland , Switzerland, Phone: +41 22 364 9111
Related records above this one:
- WWF International (Organisation O0115)