July 2009

Development of plantain and banana production

Cameroon Tribune Nº 9383/5584 of 03/07/2009 page 9

A workshop to facilitate the development of the plantain and banana sector in Central Africa took place June 2009 in Ambam (South Cameroon). Participants of the workshop, which aimed at promoting qualitative and quantitative plantain and banana production in Central Africa, came from south Cameroon, north Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The meeting was funded by European Union and the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC).

Planting of trees in North Cameroon

Cameroon Tribune, Nº 9384/5585 of 06/07/2009 pages 8

The Cameroonian Minister of Environment and the Protection of Nature is planning to plant about 5000 trees within some 3000 ha of land this year in the Cameroon Northern region; this is part of the Green Sahel initiative.

Energy production: turning on the spot

Cameroon Tribune, Nº 9384/5585 of 06/07/2009 pages 9

According to authorities of the Ministry of Energy and Water supply, the total energy produced in Cameroon today stands at about 928 megawatts. From this total 723 comes from 3 hydroelectric dams. Increase in industrialization such as the forthcoming expansion of Cameroon aluminum industry will negatively affect future energy supplies.

Improving food security in Cameroon

Cameroon Tribune, Nº 9385/5586 of 07/07/ 2009 page 04

Agro pastoral sector modernization and industrialization problems in Cameroon are caused by the lack funds to support producers and the setting up, and implementation of a robust and innovative policy and legislative framework

Implementation of mining projects to be accelerated

Cameroon Tribune Nº 9390/5591 of 14/07/2009 page5

The Head of State and the Minister in charge of Mining recently gave a six months deadline for actors in the mining sector   to produce results in terms of technological development is on track. However, much still has to be done in the domain of planning, information sharing and research. The projects concerned are:Mbalam Iron Ore project, Ngoundal and Minim-Matrap bauxite project, the Nkamouna Cobalt-Nickel, the Mobilong diamond, the Kribi Iron-Ore project and the poli and Lolodorf uranium project.

 Protected wildlife species are at risk of extinction in Cameroon

Cameroon Tribune, Nº 9392/5593 of 16/07/2009 page 18

Waza (Logone and Chari) came out in a couple of months ago with a shocking revelation on the rate at which some wildlife species are at the brink of  extinction in Cameroon in particular and Central Africa in general. For example, in a visit to the area, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) failed to locate the presence of the black rhinoceros in the Cameroon Northern region which implies that the black rhino may have finally succumbed to extinction due to illegal hunting. The trouble phased by the black rhinos and lions is an early warning signal that the ecosystem is under threat. World Wildlife Fund for Nature is also complaining of the decline of the large number of elephants. They recommend that the government take the necessary measures to combat illicit trade of these species.

Elephants Racing Towards Extinction

Cameroon Tribune, Nº 9398/5599 of 24/07/2009 page 30

Not long ago a wildlife trafficker with a long history in the killing of elephants and other species in and around the Dja Reserve was arrested in Somalomo, a village in South-East Cameroon. He was caught in possession of fresh trunks of a baby elephant killed in the area. Elephants are totally protected wildlife species under the law of 1994 governing the wildlife sector in Cameroon. According to this law, anyone found in possession of dead or live protected wildlife species, including elephants is liable to a prison term of three years and/or pay a fine of up to ten million CFA francs, about 20000 USD.

Combating desertification in northern Cameroon

Cameroon Tribune, Nº9402/ 5603 of 30/07/2009 page 6

The President of the Cameroonian National Assembly took part in the second  edition of the operation “Green Heart, Future Rose”, initiated by the parliamentary network for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems in Central Africa (REPAR). He was accompanied by a number of MPs from the ten regions of Cameroon. This year the reforestation campaign will facilitate the planting of close to 12000 trees in the two localities of northern Cameroon. The 12000 trees to be planted are offered by WWF with funds from the private sector.

August 2009

Fight against   desertification

Cameroon Tribune, N° 9405/5606, of 04/08/2009 page 03

Led by the President of National Assembly of Cameroon, the Extreme North parliamentarians launched an operation “Maroua University and Green Environment”. The National Assembly President symbolically planted a tree at the entrance of the University campus. He recommended that each inhabitant plant at least 4 trees.

Landslide destroyed Bamenda station hill road

Cameroon Tribune, N° 9406/5607 of 05/08/2009

The Bamenda station hill, the only access road to the Bamenda Town from the West region was blocked by a huge landslide. This hill is one of the most fragile ecological zones plagued by numerous landslides. To arrest further landslide in the region, the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife promised to plant trees to stabilise the soil.

Lake Eiagham

Cameroon Tribune, Nº 9411/5612 of 12/08/2009 page 20

The Eiagham Reserve used to be a fertile ground for elephants. But illegal hunting and exploitation of some natural resources by humans have forced the elephants to escape to the Korup National Park where they are protected. The lake now harbours mostly tilapia fish although some species were introduced there four years ago by the youths of that region.

Energy supply

Cameroon Tribune Nº 9413/5614 of  14/08/2009

The Minister of Water Resources and Energy has asked actors in the petroleum sector in the country to work as a team to surmount the challenges facing petroleum products. He is optimistic for the development of natural gas resources through some strategic projects piloted by the National Hydrocarbons Cooperation which will enable the increase of the national supply of this energy source which is necessary to fight desertification.

Seeking ways to preserve forest ecosystems

Cameroon Tribune, N° 9414/5615, of 17/08/2009 page 13

Committee members of the Cameroon Forestry and Environmental Sector Program examined ways to fight environmental and forest degradation in Cameroon in general and in the littoral region in particular. The program has 4 components which involve sustainable forest management for production valorisation of forest products, sustainable management of biodiversity and management of community forests.

13000 MINFOF trees to minimise landslide

Cameroon Tribune, N° 9416/5617 of 19/08/2009 page 13

The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife launched a forest regeneration campaign in the North West Region of Cameroon. The aim of the campaign was to plant 13000 trees in the entire region which will help reducing landslide risks.

Operation “Plant 60000 Trees” in Bambutous launched

Cameroon Tribune, N° 9418/5619 of 21/08/2009 page 18

The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife says the government needs the contribution of the population of Bambutous to achieve its environmental and reforestation development objectives. The Minister officially launched a campaign known as “Operation Plant 60000 Trees” in Bambutous.

Illegal Chimpanzees traffickers arrested

Cameroon Tribune Nº 9422/5623 of 27/08/09, page 40

Three traffickers have been arrested in the North West region of Cameroon by the regional delegation for Forestry and Wildlife for having killed three chimpanzees. The fight against illegal killing of endangered species like chimpanzees for illegal trade is becoming very rampant in that region. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has warned that the protection of national parks alone does not safeguard the survival of wildlife heritage.

Realised by Stanislas BILA, Technical Assistant, CARPE Cameroon

Translated by Antoine Justin EYEBE, CARPE Focal Point Manager Cameroon

Reviewed by Kenneth Angu Angu , CARPE Regional Program Manager