Gilbert Njodzeka

Reforestation and Conservation of the Bikov Forest, Bui Division, North West Cameroon

Green care nursery.

Tree Seedling transfer to BIHKOV planting site.

Community members carry seedlings to plant June 2010.

Town/RegionCountryCategoriesDate
Vekovi Village, Bui Division CameroonAfrica, Forests30 Apr 2010

This project aims at working with the local community group to conserve and add sources of income to the Bikov community forest. We will doing work on eliminating the existing eucalyptus trees because have they have become dominant over the indigenous trees and soak up many litres of water a day from water catchments.

Eucalyptus was introduced in Cameroon in the 1970s as a wood cash crop, over the years Eucalyptus has amplified water problems which has become a crisis in the northwest of Cameroon. We will begin by planting seedlings of endangered indigenous tree species that have medicinal and Bee friendly value like Prunus Africana and Croton and aslso trees like croton, Polysia Fulva that have cultural value into the community forest.

We will educate the community on different non-timber forest products and how to sustainably harvest what is available as a source of income. We will then help the community introduce bee farming as another income generating activity. After the trees have been planted with we will assist the community in developing a trail network with viewpoints in the forest to help promote ecotourism as another alternative income generating activity.

For further information contact greencare@ymail.com

Project Update: June 2010

So far we have had planning meetings with the Executive of BIKOV alongside the Delegate of Environment and Nature Protection for Bui Division in North West Region of Cameroon.

We have transferred the seedlings to near planting site, Community members alongside Green Care staff have been carrying the seedlings to planting spots and planting. Eucalyptus is felled and killing technique (salt application) applied. We have had workshops on Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) and the tree nursery. We have been enjoying the support of the civil (Mayor, Delegate of Environment) and traditional authorities like the village head of Vekovi, Fai Waikov. Planting is still going twice a week by the communities.

Project Update: July 2010

Some progress has been made of late with the completion of planting 5500 tree seedlings. Thanks to participatory turn out from members of the community (forest users) within the villages of Vekovi, Kai, Wvem, Tashem and Ntor. The Bui Divisional Delegate of Environment and Nature Protection Mr Tume Emmanuel paid a monitoring and evaluation visit.

In the domain of eco-tourism, we had a workshop in the village of Kai, another user village within the BIKOV community forest. Representatives of the user villages alongside elected members of the management team attended the workshop facilitated by Zwinkels Tours Cameroon. Some 49 persons answered present for the workshop.

Final Report

Read more about the activities undertaken and findings of this project in the final report below.

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Final Report705.5 KB

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