Practices

A number of reforestation and/or natural regeneration approaches have been adopted in Cameroon, though natural regeneration techniques have virtually been abandoned since the 1960s.

Two procedures for enriching natural forests through tree-planting have been used in Cameroon: the strip method and parcels. The strip technique was introduced in Mbalmayo over 60 years ago. The main species were ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon), mahogany (Khaya ivorensis), sapelli (Entandrophragma cylindricum) and bibolo (Lovoa trichiloides). The parcel procedure was based on the conventional notion of ¿support points¿, average-sized plots of 10 m x 20 m distributed in accordance with a square mesh of roughly 100 meters. After harvesting, the plots are planted with commercial species. Between the plots, forest height is brought down to 15-20 meters by devitalization.

Two methods were used for full planting in rainforest areas: regrowth and planting in full sunlight. The first was designed by the CTFT (Tropical Forest Technical Centre) after an experimental trial in Gabon. It has been used for over 40 years in Cameroon in rainforest areas, where the following species were widely planted: bibolo (Lovea trichilioides), bubinga (Guibourtia spp.), bossé (Mansonia altissima), framiré (Terminalia ivorensis), ngollon (Khaya spp.), sapelli (Entandrophragma cylindricum), okoumé (Aucoumea klaineana), ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon), assamela (Ptericopsis elata), teak (Tectona grandis) and moabi (Baillonnela toxisperma). Planting in full sunlight is used both in rainforest and sudano-sahelian zones. It can be wholly or partly mechanized, or else manual, and has long been virtually the only technique in use in the sudano-sahelian and most savannah areas of Cameroon, where the species most often planted are Eucalyptus spp., Pinus spp., Cassia siamea, Acacia spp., Khaya senegalensis and Azandatehta indica. While an estimated 80 000 hectares of plantations remain in Cameroon, they do suffer from a lack of proper maintenance.

Forest conservation measures

Decree Law n°95-446/PM of 20 July 1995 determining the implementation procedures for wildlife management stipulates that protected areas must be subject to management plans setting the time, place, nature and schedule concerning the programme of work and studies for a specific protected areas. The plans may be prepared by the administration in charge of wildlife or by private partners. In the latter case, management plans must be approved by the administration. Protected area management also extends to the buffer zone, defined as a ¿boundary area subject to agro-silvi-pastoral management essential to settle people on the land and regulate their activities¿. Cameroon is also setting up a trust fund to enable the DFAP (Directorate of Wildlife and Protected Areas) to strengthen management capacity.

As for the conservation of biodiversity, several protected areas (national parks and wildlife reserves) were established, and these now cover a little over 2 million hectares, of which 1.7 million hectares are forested. The national biodiversity action plan for Cameroon recommends a participatory approach and the earmarking of 30 percent of the country or 47.5 million hectares, as protected area. Many integrated development projects adapted to specific ecological conditions have also been launched. These are projects to combat drought and desertification in the sudano-sahelian zone, and specific ecosystem conservation projects such as Korup Park, Mount Cameroon, Mount Kilum, the Dja Reserve, the Lake Lobeke Reserve, the Boumba Beck Reserve, the Megame Sanctuary, the Ndeng Ndeng Reserve and the Limbé Botanical Garden.

Forest protection measures

Concerning forest fires and erosion, Decree Law n°95-531 of 23 August 1995 establishes procedures for the implementation of forest law. Articles 6, 7 and 8 allow prescribed burning under certain circumstances. Late-season burning is banned and early burning is regulated. A further official fire prevention regulation concerns the establishment of brushfire surveillance teams and centres. All managed forests must have a system of forest fire surveillance and control. As for erosion, Article 10 of the above law contains a proviso for declaring specific land areas off-limits, and the practical procedures for doing so.

Forest harvesting practices

Cameroon specifically stipulates forest-harvesting standards. The new Cameroonian legislation also declares forests off-limits after harvesting wherever the areas involved are too small to ensure indefinite felling cycles. Ministerial Order n°222/A/MINEF specifies, inter alia, items for consideration in estimating forest potential, which in turn determines felling cycles and minimum harvest diameters for managed species. The felling cycle is set at 30 years, and diameter can in no case be under the minimum set by the forest service. Additionally ¿all silvicultural treatments other than diameter-limit cutting must be such as to ensure forest recovery after the close of each felling cycle¿. These treatments must be described in the management plan, five-year plans, and annual plans of operation. The Guide for the preparation of production forest management plans within the permanent forest domain of the Republic of Cameroon was also approved by Ministerial Order n°0107/MINEF/CAB of 9 February 1998. The Guide describes a series of treatments, in particular diameter-limit cutting, with release of future trees, thinning/release of future trees, enrichment, tree-planting, devitalization and vine removal. It also stipulates the possibility of including other forms of silvicultural treatments in accordance with approved management plans. National Directives for the Sustainable Management of Cameroon¿s Natural Forests, a document published by MINEF/ONADEF(1998) proposes specific procedures for silvicultural treatments and harvesting. It recommends retaining 1.5 trees/ha for beneficial treatment, which means the proposed thinning would eliminate an average 2.5 trees/ha. This can be done by girdling or by chemical devitalization. In the course of the harvest inventory, the trees to be devitalized can be marked, and thinning can follow the inventory or be done during harvesting.

People living in rainforest areas retain their community user rights in the communal areas of non-permanent and permanent forest domains. As for non-wood forest products, a review of the legislation and regulations on hunting reveals quite detailed and specific legal provisions concerning wildlife. Access to game is regulated by law (Law n°94/01 of 20 January 1994 on forests, wildlife and fisheries). Most of this legislation involves a set of provisions specifying zones where hunting is permitted or banned, and the length and dates of the hunting season. It also specifies acceptable hunting methods and fees.

last updated: Tuesday, November 24, 2009