Lebialem forests need Protection

- Says conservator

By Boris Esono in Buea

ERuDeF CEO, Louis Nkembi

The Environment and Rural Development Foundation, ERuDeF, has embarked on a rigorous project: that of conserving forest areas which are in dire need of protection.

                In a press briefing in Buea, the CEO of ERuDeF, Louis Nkembi said the proposed Mak-Betchou wildlife sanctuary is over 6000 hectares of forest land cutting across three Fondoms; Lebang, Essoh-Attah and Njoagwi with home to over 3000 chimpanzees, over 100 forest elephants, cross river gorillas, bush-baby and a host of others.

                The proposed Mak-Betchou wildlife sanctuary is located in Fontem subdivision, Lebialem division, SWR. The forest is home to rare species of animals, bird species, flora and fauna which are on the brink of going out of existence due to the encroachment of human activities.

                According to him, “the forest which contains some other rare species of birds such as the Montane greenbul, Bangwa forest warbler, Green breasted bush shrike and red headed picathartes,  if protect will not only server the present but also the future generation who will ripe the benefits of conservationists”. 

                He equally made it known that come January 2018 in Menji, there will be a Divisional commission meeting which be attended by the SDO for Lebialem, those for and against the proposed creation of the wildlife sanctuary to sit and discuss the way forward as there will be a number of opportunities should it be created. “It will increase government and international investments in that community, generate employment as 300-500 youths are expected to be employed in the next decade, increase in livelihood and socio-economic development”.

                After numerous meetings with various stakeholders from the ministry of forestry and wildlife, the highpoint being the issuing of a public notice by the state informing stakeholders of government’s plan to conserve and manage the forest. “The role of ERuDeF is to inform various stakeholders on the importance of conservation. It does not mean when you conserve people cannot go there”.

                Responding to questions from journalists on the issue of petitions the CEO said “thousands of petitions have been made against the proposed creation. Those who write do not understand the process”.

                “All the misconceptions exist at the moment as civil and political elites believe it is a private initiative that does not fall with the state. They are doing this at the detriment of the population that lives there. Most political elites are interested in grabbing land for their private and selfish interest against local population. The battle is to serve, conserve and preserve biodiversity for future generation”.