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.


