Mount Cameroon Project Phase 2 and Exit Phase
| Location | Cameroon |
|---|---|
| Start | 1999 |
| Finish | 2002 |
| Client | DFID |
Summary
The Mount Cameroon Project (MCP) aimed to conserve the biodiversity of habitats found on Mt Cameroon and promote sustainable development within adjacent communities. A participatory biodiversity conservation strategy was formulated and implemented during phase 2. After 12 years of DFID assistance the project ended after it was concluded that the project had largely achieved its stated purpose and outputs. To sustain the projects' successes and to further finance the implementation of the participatory biodiversity conservation strategy, the project formulated and implemented an exit strategy in partnership with key local institutions.
Problem
The Cameroon Mountain ecosystem constitutes one of the most important and threatened centres of biodiversity and endemism in Africa as recognised by WWF, IUCN, BirdLife International and Conservation International. Forests are home to most of the country's endemic species, serve important watershed functions for economically important adjacent zones, and provide a range of products and services for local use and also of global importance. Prior to the commissioning of the Mount Cameroon Project there was no co-ordinated initiative to respond to and sustainably manage these threats.
Solution
LTS was responsible for the overall management of the project and provided technical expertise to:
- Form partnerships for forest management with a range of stakeholders including village users, national institutions and a major industrial plantation corporation.
- Develop of the Limbe Botanical Garden as a centre of excellence in conservation.
- Build capacity of resource users and other stakeholders to implement a participatory strategy for sustainable use and conservation of forest resources around Mt Cameroon.
- Establish a trust fund including introduction of carbon management processes & preparation of GEF project brief
- Establish forest management planning processes
- Undertake an institutional analysis and to develop/ reform of a range of institutions
- Disseminate lessons to inform national policy processes
- Manage a marketing and fundraising campaign for key institutions.
Benefits
Key benefits and deliverables of the project included:
- Zonation plan for the Mt. Cameroon site providing a mosaic of conservation and sustainable use areas ranging from Sanctuaries to Community Forests.
- 4 community-based organisations managing and profiting from forest management and use initiatives, including wildlife management and non-timber forest products (e.g. Prunus Africana)
- Environmental and biodiversity conservation safeguards endorsed by Government for inclusion in the privatisation of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC).
- Strengthening capacity of the Ministry of Environment and Forest staff in the Provincial Delegation for SW Province, and the Departmental Delegation of Fako.
- Establishment of the Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation (CAMCOF) as a non-profit and non-governmental organisation having a trust fund for disbursement of grants to local institutions engaged in the implementation of the participatory biodiversity conservation strategy for the Mt. Cameroon region.
- The Limbe Botanic Garden transformed into a semi-autonomous and viable centre for research, training and information management in support of participatory biodiversity conservation.
