MESSAGE
Declaration by the Minister of Forestry and Wildlfe On The Occasion Of TheCelebration Of The First Global Wildlife Day, Yaounde, March 3, 2014
Together with the International community, Cameroon is celebrating the first Global Wildlife Day. This day was established during the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2013 and in reference of the date of adoption of CITES on March 3, 2013 in Washington. It is aimed at appropriately carrying out sensitization in accordance with national priorities.
Cameroon considers itself part of this event because it possesses a diversified eco-system representing almost 90% of African eco-systems, comprised of ecological zones such as the Sahelian zone, the Sudanese zone, the humid Savannah zone, the mountain zone, the marine zone and the coastal zone.
This eological diversity accommodates a wealth of wildlife, which ranks Cameroon 5th amongst African countries with a rich biodiversity, after the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Madagascar and Tanzania. It is a reservior of genetic material whose value remains largely unknown today. However, its extent is estimated at 409 mammal species of which 11 are endemic, 1000 species of birds of which 25 are endemic, 896 fish species of which 15 are endemic, 183 reptile species of which 19 are endemic, 85 species of snakes, 190 amphibian species and 1110 insect species as well as 1050 butterfly species, to mention just a few. This ecological wealth, which constitutes part of humanity’s common heritage, is subjected to repeated threats including: large-scale poaching, the transhumance of herdsmen, illegal gold washing, and the anarchic occupation of spaces and trafficking of various types.
The protection of wildlife resources concerns all of us and requires that each of us participate in the global effort aimed at their sustainable management, the fundamentals of which were solemnly established at the Rio Conference in 1992 and confirmed in 1999 during the Summit of Central African Heads of State regarding the protection of forest eco-systems.
- Consequently, I call on all to rally behind the efforts of the government aimed at:
- Intensifying the fight against poaching and the illegal exploitation of forest and wildlife resources;
- Executing the Emergency Action Plan for the securing of protected areas
- Promoting the protection of flora and fauna
- Involving councils and communities in biodiversity conservation
Keeping pace with modernity does not mean the destruction of wildlife and it should not be done to the detriment of wildlife. On the contray, development will be achieved with the conservation of biodiversity wealth.
Finally, I urge all and sundry to join in the national effort which demonstrates our contribution to the global battle.
NGOLE PHILLIP NGWESE
