FCFA 1.5 Billion Allotted for Bakossi Bayang-Mbo, Lebialem Landscape TOU Management

The sum of FCFA1.5billion ($3 million) has been approved for the development of a Technical Operation Unit (TOU) for the Bakossi Bayang-Mbo Lebialem Landscape. The Global Environment Facilities (GEF) made the declaration, March 30, 2017 during the launching ceremony of the Sustainable Farming and Critical Habitat Conservation to achieve biodiversity mainstreaming and protected areas management effectiveness in Western Cameroon (SUFACHAC) at the Buea council chambers.

By Joyce Mbong

According to the Project Task Manager of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Adamou Bouhari, the Bakossi Bayang-Mbo Lebialem landscape is subjected to many solicitations on the part from several actors with sometimes divergent interests and interventions which are not only antagonistic but conflicting.

“Encroachment into existing or proposed protected areas, lack of awareness of national legislation on biodiversity by various stakeholders, insufficient synergy among actors concerned with biodiversity conservation, inadequate funding mechanisms, among others, have subjected the Bayang Mbo Landscape to an antagonistic end. It is for this reason and more that we have resolved to develop a concise management plan to cater for the landscape,” Adamou Bouhari said.

He indicated that the SUFACHAC project will help Cameroon fulfil one of her obligations in the convention of biodiversity that is expanding its protected area network and putting in place policies and other activities for the proper management of natural resources.

The UNEP Project Task Manager further commended the efforts of the Cameroon government which also takes into considerations the needs of the people living around protected areas and the agricultural sector by implementing key policies to ensure the sustainable production and at the same time ensuring the conservation of natural resources.

Receiving the project on behalf of the government, the governor of the Southwest Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, indicated the government of Cameroon has always been at the forefront of conserving the biodiversity of the nation, while also increasing the standard of living of its citizens. He lauded the initiative of GEF and partners, for carving out such a lofty project for the betterment of humanity. He pledged government’s support for the project.

The SUFACHAC project on the Bakossi Bayang-Mbo, Lebialem landscape that will run for four years has as main objective, to strengthen and expand the protected area network and mainstream biodiversity conservation in the Bakassi Bayang Mbo, Lebialem Landscape. It is also expected that at the end of the project, the Bakossi Bayang-Mbo Landscape Technical Operation Unit and its protected area network are strengthened and managed, knowledge and monitoring of the socioeconomic and environmental values of the landscape improved.