CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION.

1.1 Background to the study.

The earth’s biological resources are very significant to humanity’s economic and social management (Reven et al 2020). There is a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to present and future utilization. At the same time, the threats to species and ecosystems has never been as big as it is of current days. Species extinction and habitats destruction caused by anthropogenic activities continues at an alarming rate despite the relentless efforts made by conservation organizations at international and national levels (earth.org).  

 A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space recognized, dedicated and managed through legal or any other effective means to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values (IUCN 2008).The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines a protected area as a geographically defined location which is designed and managed to obtain specific objectives. Protected areas cover a wide range of ecosystems like; wetlands, tropical or deciduous forest, alpines, savanna and marine. The Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming USA)  was the world’s first public protected area that has been increasing interest in trans-boundary protected zones to serve the dual purpose  of  protecting the landscape and bringing cooperation between neighboring countries. 

In Africa inhabitants living close to protected areas have a crucial and vital role to play in conservation because they depend on resources from these areas to meet up with their basic needs (Allendorf 2020).The setting up and maintenance of protected areas has become the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation strategies all over the world (Adam and mulligan

2003. Singhet al 2013). ecologically it is recognized that the world’s flora and fauna cannot be successfully conserved without providing alternative options or livelihood solutions to the local people relying on forest  resources for a living ( West et al 2006). Worldwide it has been proven that integrating of conservation and socio-economic development is difficult to be described, especially in Africa (Lele et al 2010 van- vlient 2010). In Africa, people living around these environments (protected areas) depend on them for socio-economic and cultural resource benefits in both urban and rural spheres (king, 2009; wicander2012).

Livelihood benefits of protected areas differ in terms of protected areas management strategies and governance. The methods of analyzing livelihood engagement and benefits are lacking in most African context (Lauren et al 2007). 

Cameroon is always called Africa in miniature because it has most of the continent’s diversity. It is undeniably accepted from the ecological standpoint (UNEP/MINEF 1998; MINEP 2009). As a mother country in central Africa, Cameroon boasts a coastline, mountains, savanna, desert and tropical rainforests which is just larger than Sweden in terms of geographical size.

The mount Cameroon national park (MCNP) is also among one of the most protected areas endowed with endemic flora (Protea molyneuxi, Impatiens cameroonesis, Afrothismia mannii, Begonia cameroonensis, and Cola acuminate) and fauna (mount Cameroon francolin and mount Cameroon speirops) with key animal species like, forest elephants (Laxodonta africana, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti), drills (Mandrillus leucophaeus), monkeys, gorilla(Gorilla gorilla diehli), with over 330 birds species in the continent of Africa. It is also categorized as a hotspot of biodiversity conservation by the international union for the conservation of nature “IUCN” (MINFOF, 2010).

 Few studies are found in the context of Mount Cameroon National Park that analyses the socioeconomic benefits of MCNP conservation and resource management. Most of the research’s or works undertaken regarding forestry sector at Mount Cameroon National Park primarily focus on “dependence on Non-Forest Products (NTFPs) and a few others on classification of flora and fauna conservation. However, detailed analyses of socio-economic benefit of Mount Cameroon National Park protection are rarely found. Mount Cameroon national park provides a wide range of socio-economic benefits to humankind. This include contribution to the overall economy of Cameroon, for example through employment, processing and trade of forest products (Prunus africana) and energy investment in the forest sector. The national park is also a protection site and landscapes of high cultural spiritual or recreation values. Maintaining and enhancing these functions is an integral part of sustainable Mount Cameroon National Park Conservation. The trend in socio-economic benefits is thus essential in evaluating progress toward sustainable Mount Cameroon National Park management together with statistic on predominant environmental value. 

 There is also insufficient funding of mount Cameroon national park management in terms of livelihood changes and household income. some studies carried out by (Laird et al, 2011, Nana and Tchamadiu, 2014), on investing in other aspects of livelihood solutions to local people, economic problems encountered by the local population living near mount Cameroon, and investigating  the socio-economic vulnerability and resilience in risk zones mapped in the framework of ‘Gestion des Risque Naturels Protection Civile (GRINP) project done in 2006 by the ministry of industry, mines and technological development (MINIMIDT) and Bureau des Recherché Geologiques et Minieres (BRGM) France have touched some aspects of the local people but failed to analyze the socio-economic benefits of this park preservation on the local people. This present research therefore intend to analyze the socio-economic benefits of mount Cameroon conservation and resource management on the peripheral communities of the park.

1.2 Problem statement

Despite the growth of protected areas networks in Africa and Cameroon in particular, as well as strategies to improve on the performance of protected areas by governments, international organizations, private sectors and individuals to achieve the objectives set out. Poaching and other anthropogenic pressure continues at an alarming rate. To respond effectively to these problems, the socio economic benefits of protected areas should be improved because it is a vital factor in the management of protected areas. The absence of it can yield mixed results, even if governance and significant finances are mobilized. 

The main problems faced in protected areas management in Cameroon, Mount Cameroon National Park inclusive is, how to conserve biodiversity while providing the basis for the social and economic development of the local residents (Dawson et al 2021). In most parts of the world, biological fragmentation reflects the social and economic fragmentation. For biological diversity to be conserved and restored, a number of social, economic and policy factors must be changed to encourage the adoption of agronomic planning practices. Ecological knowledge and economic feasibility are key to further advancement of initiatives designed to increase the biodiversity of agricultural landscape within protected areas. More vital collaborative management between local communities and sectorial policy makers is a pre-condition for success.  Some of the most common challenges to protected areas in Cameroon include; development and encroachment, agriculture-related threats, such as conversion of forest lands to plantations, energy related threats such as drilling and mining, transportation, such as roads, climate change, invasive species, and social, political and economic limitations. The mount Cameroon national park conservation and it resources management has multiple potentials of socio economic benefit coupled with ecological significance which will enable conservationist and the park stakeholders make a decisive and effective policies to enhanced sustainable practices that balance environmental conservation with socio economic development. . Despite these recognized importance of mount Cameroon conservation and resource management, there still exist challenges due to development and encroachment, agriculture-related threats such as conversion of forest lands to plantations, energy related threats such as drilling and mining, transportation, such as roads, climate change, invasive species, and social, political and economic limitations. This could imply that the socio-economic benefits are not sufficiently felt by the local communities which could hamper the efforts in balancing conservation and socioeconomic development for the region. There is therefore a pressing need to address the socioeconomic benefits to make sure the livelihoods of the people and the sustainable development of the local communities are taken into account while preserving the national park. 

1.3 Research questions

• Main question

Are the socio economic benefits associated with Mount Cameroon National Park (MCNP) protection sufficiently felt by the surrounding communities?

• Specific questions

1. How does Mount Cameroon National Park contribute to the local economy in terms of income generation and employment opportunities?
2. What are the perceptions of the surrounding communities on the socio-economic benefits of the Mount Cameroon National Park?
3. What is the impact of mount Cameroon National Park on the well-being and life quality of the local residents?

          1.4 Objectives.

• Main objective.

To improve the balance between conservation efforts and socio-economic benefits from Mount Cameroon National Park Conservation on the peripheral communities of the park.

• Specific objectives  

1. To assess the economic contributions of Mount Cameroon National Park to the local communities.
2. To assess local stakeholders perception and flow of socio-economic benefits
3. To analyze the overall impact of Mount Cameroon National Park on the well-being and life quality of the local residents.