Fons from nine villages surrounding the proposed Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Lebialem Division, South West Region, have resolved to support the creation of the sanctuary and maintain its name.
They also renewed their commitment in supporting government policies on the conservation of biodiversity in Cameroon in general and Lebialem in particular.
The Fons from Bechati, Nkong, Folepi, Egumbo, Banti, Bamumbu, Fossungu and Bangang made this resolution on January 14, 2014 in a meeting in Menji chaired by the Lebialem Senior Divisional Officer, Kouemo Simon.
The Green Vision learnt the Fons had initially disagreed on what name the sanctuary should be called but after a series of consultations coordinated by ERuDeF, which is technically assisting government in the creation of the sanctuary, the Fons decided to bury their differences and resolved that the name of the proposed sanctuary should be maintained as “Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary”.
The Fons of Besali, Bechati, Nkong and Bamumbu reiterated that their years of resistance are over and they are now more committed than ever before towards supporting government efforts to conserve the biodiversity of the area and that they are fully behind ERuDeF.
During the meeting, stakeholders reviewed the local community economic development initiatives ERuDeF has brought to Lebialem Division in general and the proposed sanctuary area in particular.
In order to ensure that the villages surrounding the proposed sanctuary are not left out in the implementation of the proposed protected area, ERuDeF, between 2011-2013, constructed four semi-industrial palm oil mills in four villages to improve on livelihoods. These oil mills have helped to increase local palm oil production by 45-50% on average. The NGO has also produced and donated over 250 modern beehives since 2010 to enhance honey production and improve living conditions of the villagers around the proposed sanctuary.
Between 2010 and 2013, 250 piglets were also donated to villages around the proposed Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary including, Banti, Egumbo, Bangang, Folepi, Mmockmbie, Nkong to name these. ERuDeF has equally set up a micro-funding institution to help finance environmentally friendly community initiated projects in the area. Over 8 million frs cfa have been given to support community businesses.
In addition, the conservation NGO has set up an agro-forestry project with the aim of improving soil health and thereby productivity. Environmental education sessions have also been held in primary and nursery schools of the area to help build the next generation of conservation leaders.
In summary, the organisation has spent over 95 million frs cfa in supporting community development in the villages surrounding the proposed Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary.
