ACHIEVEMENTS
n 1987, WWF declared Cameroon one of six focal
countries in Africa. WWF was instrumental in helping to create
several new protected areas, including the Korup Rainforest National
Park. This is one of the continent's most important rainforests,
with significant populations of chimpanzees, elephants, and forest
buffalo. WWF is also working closely with the Cameroon government
to evolve legislation and codes on sustainable logging practices.
* In the biologically important and densely populated
forests of Mount Kilum, WWF has worked with Bird Life and local
community organizations to design and implement a community forest
programme. Tree nurseries have been developed. As part of the
Mount Kilum project, community forest patrols have also been set
up and help provided in establishing local forest-based industries.
In addition, WWF has helped develop a graziers' cooperative to
reduce pressure from over-grazing in the forest.
* WWF's policy is to promote the sustainable use
of medicinal plants and ensure that their potential for commercial
use will benefit local communities. For example, it has undertaken
research on the Prunus africana, an endangered montane
forest tree, the bark of which contains chemicals useful in the
treatment of benign prostate hypertrophy. Because of these properties,
the Prunus africana bark has been extensively harvested,
sometimes with considerable damage to the trees, for export to
pharmaceutical companies in Europe. WWF, together with the Cameroon
Department of Forestry and the International Centre for Research
on Agroforestry, is studying the possibility of cultivating the
trees and assisting local farmers to start plantations.
Back to the previous page
|