By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi
Implementing the decentralisation process, the South West Regional Delegate of Forestry and Wildlife, Ikome Delphine has handed the Buea and Kumba Barombi-Mbo Forest Reserves Approved Management Plans to the Buea and Kumba I councils respectively.
The ceremony to hand over and present the management plans took place at the conference hall of the SW Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife on Friday, June 14, 2024.
Aimed at ensuring the protection of biodiversity and contribute in the improvement of the livelihood of communities surrounding the two forest reserves, the management plans will enable the Buea and Kumba I councils take over the provision of financial means for the implementation of the activities that have been earmarked in the respective management plans.
In her welcome address, the SW Regional Delegate of Forestry and Wildlife, Delphine Ikome noted that the Buea and Kumba Lake Barombi-Mbo forest reserves are state forests that were until 2012 managed by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in the SWR.
“Within the framework of the ongoing decentralisation process in Cameroon, MINFOF through one of its ministerial decisions of August 21, 2012 transferred the management of these two reserves to the two councils, Buea and Kumba I. The management of their forest reserves will be done in accordance to the prescriptions of the approved management plans that are valid for 5 years. The revenue generated from the sustainable management of these forest reserves will be used for the implementation of activities in the council and also in village development projects as prescribed by the management plan. Land sales are forbidden in the forest reserves since its integrity should be preserved”, she stated.
The 2nd Deputy Mayor of Buea council, Mosoko Edward Motuwe said “The management plan has a lot of positive accompanying factors and it is for the benefit of the entire population of Buea. We have rare species of flora and fauna in our reserve that we have to judiciously manage and preserve. We will ensure that we do our activities accordingly as stipulated in the management plan and we will protect the forest and all its biodiversity. We will continue with the tree planting process and make sure that the issue of encroachment and land sales will be checked accordingly”, he assured.
According to the Mayor of Kumba I Council, Bar. Prince Eseme Moses Esembe, the management plan is a great leap not just for the council but the entire population of Meme. “This plan will guide us in the management of our forest reserve. The entire population of Meme relies on water that comes from the lake for consumption and each time the forest is tampered with, we start having problems with the water coming from there, so this management will help us protect the lake. We also have about 13 species of fishes in the lake and we have to as part of the management plan make sure that fishing activities that are done are done with prescriptions in order to protect the species. With the management plan, we will be able to make sure that the fallout of our activities benefits not individuals but the communities in the surrounding areas”.
Stating the role of MINFOF in the management of the reserves, Ikome Delphine added that MINFOF will continue supporting the two councils technically and financially where possible. “We have to ensure that all the activities prescribed in the management plan are implemented correctly by the councils. We also have to make sure that the livelihoods of the communities around these reserves are improved. MINFOF as a service will still be there to ensure the protection and conservation of all the resources in the reserves”, she said.
The delegate called on the communities in the forest reserve areas to join hands with the councils to ensure the effective management and protection of the two reserves, making sure that the reserve gains its value.