By Azore Opio
When we stop to consider the changing environment surrounding the world, and Cameroon in particular, two phenomena emerge.
The first affects largely the world – global warming. The second is specific to areas in which forests, especially tropical rainforests, are fast disappearing – deforestation.
Cameroon is no exception. Recently, the Cameroon government conceded 49 percent (429.893 hectares) of the relatively undisturbed 943.000 hectares of Ngoyla-Mintom Forest block (the last remaining massif now partly attributed for logging) in the Upper Nyong Division, in the East Region, for wood exploitation.
Ngoyla-Mintom comprises wildlife corridors for the movement of iconic species such as elephants, mandrills, gorilla etc., among TRIDOM’s many protected areas (bio-connectivity).
In Cameroon, as in other parts of the world, indiscriminate deforestation, both by the local population and, to a larger extent, by international loggers, has contributed greatly to the disappearance of tropical rainforests, which in tandem, leads to desertification – a direct link to global environmental troubles.
The indivisible relationship between forests and the environment cannot be over-emphasized. Virtually, all of environmental problems our planet faces, including global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, deforestation (especially tropical rainforests), loss of diversity and desertification, plus pollution, have deep connections with forests.
In December 1997, the Third Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (COP3) held in Kyoto, Japan, to discuss the goal of reducing goal of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that cause global warming. It was also reaffirmed that forests play a very important role in absorbing CO2, and it was, therefore, decided that sustainable forest management and reforestation should be every country’s effort in the quest for conserving the world’s environment. But in the midst of material prosperity, where more and more people are now seeking ways to enrich their bodily desires, and evidenced by the concept of “regulation arbitrage”, some countries fail to keep up with the rest of the world in terms of deregulation and other liberalization policies, which tends to create an unfavourable climate for reforestation.
Policy makers must, therefore, view forests as places for promoting health and recreation as opposed to places to only conduct economic activities. Similarly, they should now be able to recognize that forests play a crucial role in preserving the land and ensuring high quality water supplies. At the same time, they must know that forests are inextricably inked with both local and global environmental conservation. Problems such as global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, deforestation and biodiversity loss are all issues deeply connected with forests and must be approached in a way that transcends national boundaries. But charity begins at home.
It is well known that deforestation in developing countries continues as a result of excessive animal grazing, excessive cutting of tress for firewood and charcoal and inappropriate commercial logging. These actions generate a tremendous demand for guidance and support for reforestation. The law in Cameroon, designed to promote citizen participation in environmental conservation must be implemented (is being implemented). It must be based on a cooperative approach that will contribute to the greening of the nation. Priority must be based on planting trees where there where previously no trees as well as where trees have been cut down.
Forestry must be incorporated into general education programs – the idea of “social forestry” dedicated to afforestation, reforestation and forest utilization must become increasingly important. This entails having local people take the main role in planting, using and protecting their own forests. The people must be steered to view forests as not simply the result of natural conditions, but can come into being and even go into extinction through the actions of the people who live and work in them, thus giving rise to a forest culture. For instance, Japan already has planted 10 million hectares of man-made forests, and continues to plant more. This is a record that few other countries can match.
Cameroon’s case is a sad one to cite for, as other countries are replanting their forests, the Cameroon government is giving out large concessions of virgin forests for logging without the trees being replaces.
Of course, healthy forests are maintained through active forestry work so, promotion of the forestry industry and the nurturing of healthy forests are two sides of the same coin.
Caring for forests may be slow, modest work, but it is absolutely essential for the sake of the earth as a whole. A long-term perspective must be adopted that does not regard trees as merely “material” to be used, but rather as resources that are necessary for the maintenance of our planet on regional, national and global levels.
The task of planting and protecting forests is similar to that of raising children. In some ways, planting a sapling is like giving birth to a child whose nurturing takes a tremendous time and effort. Just like children, trees are susceptible to sickness and accidents and require constant care. That is why it is not enough to simply plant trees – what happens afterwards is extremely important. It, therefore, becomes necessary to establish a system in which the local people themselves are the main participants in planting forests and maintaining them, as befits their way of life. Here, the responsibility of caring for the forests rests entirely with the people. To do this, it is important to know what relationship exists between the local people and the forests. In this sense, cooperation for forests preservation means taking a good look at how the local people live, supporting their efforts and joining them in thinking about possible solutions. In this light too, the logging industries must also get actively involved in forestry projects as a way of contributing to society, not just engage in cutting down trees and leaving behind empty patches, hoping the nature shall do the job of reforestation for them. They must have, high on their lists, environmental problems generated by indiscriminate logging. They should design projects using part of the profits they rake from logging, and widely publicise technologies connected with greening activities – they ought to plant trees themselves,
If Cameroonians and the international lumber-jacks plant, nurture and manage their own forests as an inextricable and indivisible part of their own lives, their local efforts will green Cameroon, and, through Cameroon, the world. And the world shall be a better place to live in.
