ERuDeF Sensitizes communities for the Creation of two Community Forest between Deng Deng National Park and Belabo Council Forest

ERuDeF just recently recorded great success in its mission to save the Western Lowland Gorillas and Impact Lives, a village to village sensitization was been successfully carried out. The sensitization which started on July 13 to July 23, 2020, was to enlighten the entire population of the 11 villages around the two community forest to be created, its importance and the steps involved in the creation of the community forest. The project was highly welcomed by the population with a lot of enthusiasm and expectation from ERuDeF and its Partner World Land Trust to bring the project to realization.

This activity was composed of a team of five persons as follows: the representative of the Divisional Delegate of forestry and Wildlife of Lom and Djerem, the representative of the chief of Post of Deng Deng, the representative of the chief of Post of Belabo, a Forestry Officer and a Social Anthropologist. This Project will build community spirit amongst the villagers as they are highly individualistic in nature and will bring about development to their various communities. This will therefore help to reduce pressure exerted on the protected areas.

The people expressed a lot of joy, knowing that ERuDeF is not a Timber exploitation organization and will not be carrying out any money making activity in the community forest to balance the money spent in the creation of the two community forest, as other organizations will do. This made the village population to give the go ahead of the project as they are ready to give in their full support to see that project succeed.

TheDeng Deng – Belabo conservation corridor project was launched on June 11, 2020. The main goal of this project is to preserve good quality forest habitats between two already existing protected areas (Deng Deng National Park and Belabo Council Forest) for the maintenance and/or enhancement of suitable conditions for the movement of endangered species and prevent occurrences of inbreeding.  This project will strengthen the management of the Deng- Deng National Park by effectively managing the two community forests created through a simple management plan that will be developed in full consultation with the local communities and the local ministries as well as other stakeholders.