Coastal Forest Programme, Cameroon

Tree silhouette in mist Mt Kupe Cameroon.
© WWF-Canon / Frederick J. WEYERHAEUSER

People power!

To know if my intentions were not bad, an old man in the group was charged with carrying out a test. He harvested some leaves around and chewed. He then spat out the chaff on the ground - full of his saliva and I was asked to pick the stuff and chew also. I had no choice. That is how WWF got access to that part of the programme area and we have been working closely with the communities since then.

OWONA EBAMBOU Jean Daniel, Sociologist, Coastal Forest Programme

It took patience, commitment and tough resolve from a couple of environmental organizations such as WWF to intervene in the region to try to slow down what was fast becoming a historic rhythm of degradation.

"WWF and its partners are succeeding in bringing some order and above all making interested parties to understand that their personal well-being depends on that of the forest. Both the government and the local population are cooperating and are becoming aware of what it means to manage natural resources in a sustainable way", notes Dr Atanga who agrees that much remains to be done.

Effectively what does WWF want to achieve here?
The programme, according to the Manager, "aims at improving the livelihoods of communities depending heavily on forest products and services by safeguarding natural forests and restoring forests functions".