By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
The 2026 edition of the International Day of Forests was commemorated in Government High School Bokwoango-Buea on Thursday, March 19, 2026 under the global theme “Forests and Economies,” with strong messages on the economic importance of forest resources, environmental protection, and the urgent need for sustainable forest management in South West Region. The event brought together administrative authorities, forestry officials, students, environmental stakeholders, and local communities in a celebration that combined awareness, education, and symbolic tree planting.
Speaking during the ceremony, the South West Regional Delegate of Forestry and Wildlife, Christian Manga-Bell Epie, explained that the International Day of Forests was established to create a platform for experts and stakeholders to reflect on forest-related challenges and climate change solutions at local, national, and international levels. He recalled that the day traces its origins to a decision by the Food and Agriculture Organization in 1971 and was officially adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012.
According to the Regional Delegate, this year’s theme highlights the central role forests play in economic development, employment creation, and the livelihoods of millions worldwide. He noted that globally, the forest sector employs over 33 million people and generates enormous economic value through timber, non-timber forest products, ecosystem services, and the expanding bioeconomy. In Cameroon, he added, forestry remains the country’s third largest source of revenue after agriculture and crude oil, contributing nearly four percent of the national Gross Domestic Product and generating about 60 billion CFA francs annually in tax revenue.
Christian Manga-Bell Epie emphasized that non-timber forest products such as bush mango, medicinal plants, charcoal, firewood, honey, spices, and rattan continue to sustain local livelihoods, especially in rural communities. He further explained that revenue from logging operations is shared among the State, councils, FEICOM, and neighbouring villages, making forestry an important pillar of decentralized local development.
He however regretted that the ongoing socio-political crisis has significantly affected logging activities in the South West Region, reducing the region’s contribution to national forestry revenue. Despite these setbacks, he highlighted several achievements recorded by the Regional Delegation in forest restoration and biodiversity conservation between 2023 and 2025, including the planting of 33,000 trees in community forests and 27,000 trees in forest reserves, representing over 150 hectares of reforested land.
The delegate also disclosed that 24 multipurpose community nurseries were created between 2022 and 2025, producing nearly 700,000 seedlings distributed to about 2,000 farmers across protected areas including Korup National Park, Takamanda National Park, Bakossi National Park, and Mount Cameroon National Park.
Representing the Governor of the South West Region, the Secretary General at the Governor’s Office, Acha Gilbert Nkwenti, stressed that forest preservation is not only an environmental duty but also a strategic pathway to sustainable development. He reminded participants that Cameroon has pledged to restore 12 million hectares of degraded land under the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative.
Acha Gilbert Nkwenti noted that forests create jobs, generate foreign exchange, and contribute significantly to the national economy, while warning against threats such as illegal logging, uncontrolled agricultural expansion, and climate change. He called on councils, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, and young people to actively support forest protection efforts.
The ceremony featured student presentations on forest conservation, educational talks, exhibitions, and a symbolic planting of 15 seedlings within the school campus, reinforcing the importance of involving younger generations in environmental stewardship.
The 2026 International Day of Forests in Buea thus ended as a strong appeal for collective responsibility in protecting Cameroon’s rich forest heritage for future generations.