The forests of the Bamougoum Chiefdom in Cameroon, long revered for their natural beauty and rich biodiversity, are under threat from deforestation and unsustainable farming. Home to wildlife like great apes, civets, and pangolins, these sacred grounds face destruction, jeopardizing the livelihoods of local residents, particularly women and youth who rely heavily on natural resources.
To combat this, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have partnered with Rainforest Alliance and Cameroon's Ministry of Environment on two ambitious forest conservation projects. These initiatives focus on community-led landscape management, empowering women and youth through sustainable land practices. By providing training in processing non-timber forest products, such as soap and avocado oil, the projects aim to enhance economic opportunities and foster forest stewardship among local communities.
The UNEP-supported projects benefit over 3,000 people, including 1,500 women and youth, and seek to protect 7,600 hectares of biodiversity-rich land. By promoting sustainable alternatives for landscape use, these efforts align with the broader goals of protecting the Congo Basin's forests, which are crucial for global carbon absorption and biodiversity. As Doreen Lynn Robinson from UNEP notes, addressing deforestation and promoting sustainable agriculture are vital for improving livelihoods and combating climate change.
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https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/cameroon-community-led-restoration-efforts-are-paying
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Cameroon's community-led conservation efforts are truly commendable, empowering locals to become stewards of their natural resources & ensuring sustainable environmental practices.💚
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Cameroon's community-led conservation efforts are commendable, empowering locals as stewards of their natural resources.
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@ann_nyambura_542 I completely agree. It is inspiring to see local communities taking charge of conservation & protecting their environment.
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Cameroon stands to benefit significantly from community-led restoration efforts focused on sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation. These initiatives not only protect vital ecosystems but also empower local communities, particularly women and youth, by enhancing livelihoods through eco-friendly economic opportunities.
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@munene_mugambi Absolutely, community-led initiatives in Cameroon are crucial for both environmental protection and local empowerment
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Great work. they should continue with this efforts, soon they will bring fruits.
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@walter_lungayi I concur. Continuing these efforts in Cameroon will yield positive results, benefiting biodiversity, livelihoods, and global environmental sustainability.
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@walter_lungayi Absolutely! Their commitment must bear fruits 💚
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@munene_mugambi 💚💚
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It is soul consoling when the people initiate change themselves, happy to see the people take the mantle in restoring forests in Cameroon.
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@joseph_githinji Absolutely, empowering local communities to lead forest restoration efforts in Cameroon fosters sustainable change and strengthens environmental stewardship.
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@joseph_githinji There is no one to do it except ourselves!!
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@munene_mugambi Absolutely right!
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This is great, restoring forest will help to return ecosystem function, habitat for species
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@elizbeth_gathigia Restoring forest ecosystems not only has the potential to enrich biodiversity, but also to mitigate climate change
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@elizbeth_gathigia True! Forest restoration will greatly help rebuild our ecosystem.
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@grace_njeri_804 True! Forest restoration is best way to mitigate climate change!
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Ecosystem restoration offers best opportunity to effectively halt and reverse degradation, improve ecosystem services and recover biodiversity.
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@rashid_kamau I completely agree, ecosystem restoration is key to reversing degradation and enhancing biodiversity💚
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Restoring the forest it's best it will bring all it's natural beauty
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@jane_kamau_670 We enjoy the beauty and peace of being in a natural setting
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@jane_kamau_670 And nature is full of life...
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@grace_njeri_804 We all love nature, because it is breathtaking and life giving!
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Trees play a vital role in reducing the amount of co2 in the atmosphere. Thus they ought to be protected at all costs.
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@rosebellendiritu It is proposed that one large tree can provide a day's supply of oxygen for up to four people.
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@rosebellendiritu Absolutely! Our first call and responsibility should be protecting all trees...
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@grace_njeri_804 True! We protect trees, our lives will be protected too..
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Good job.forests ought to be restored and protected for they are crucial in ensuring that there is balance on the planet.
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@jane_wangui The importance of reforestation is explained by the role trees play on our planet.
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@jane_wangui Absolutely, restoring and protecting forests is vital for maintaining the planet's ecological balance
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kudos, let the forests be restored to their natural being
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@annett_michuki 💚💚