CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction:

The chapter aims to present the background to the study, which encompasses the statement of research problem, research questions, research objectives and the hypotheses of the study. Other aspects of interest are the justification, significance, the scope and delimitation of the study. The scope involves thematic, temporal and spatial delimitation of the study. The last section presents the organization of the study, which is structured into the various chapters that make up the study. The chapter ends with the chapter conclusion.

1.1 Background to the Study

The world today, see deforestation as the clearing of forests, usually as a result of human activities like agriculture, urbanization, and logging, which has become a major global environmental issue (WWF, 2020). Forests provide numerous benefits, including timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products, as well as ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, water regulation, and wildlife habitat. Rural communities that depend on forest resources are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of deforestation. Populations living around forest concessions in developing countries derive a considerable share of their income from activities linked to the forest (FAO, 2021). A forest is a complex ecosystem which is predominantly composed of trees, shrubs and is usually a closed canopy. Nearly 4 billion hectares of forest cover the earth’s surface, roughly 30 percent of its total land area (FAO, 2007). Forest resource is any material derived from forestry for direct consumption or commercial use, such as timber, wood, vegetables, animals of different species and fruits. (Louis, 2021). The importance of these timber and non-timber forest products to people’s livelihoods and wellbeing has been documented for various tropical regions. Deforestation has profound implications for the economic stability and social structures of rural communities worldwide.

Globally, forests are critical for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of millions of people. The loss of forest cover leads to reduced agricultural productivity, increased poverty, and social disintegration (FAO, 2020). Economic activities that depend on forests, such as timber production, non-timber forest products, and ecotourism, are severely impacted by deforestation. As forest resources diminish, rural communities often face increased competition for remaining resources, leading to conflicts and weakened social cohesion (Angelson Kaimowitz, 2001).

Africa is one of the most diverse continents for land use, with the territory split between cropland, forests, grassland, wetland, and human settlements. Grassland and forests together make up more than 50% of the whole continent, while desert, barren, and unproductive areas classified as ‘other land’ represent 32.4% of the total land area (FAO, 2020). Africa is the world’s third largest continent for global forest area, most of which is concentrated in central and southern countries characterized by a tropical climate like Zambia, Angola, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Then latter has the world’s second-largest rainforest. Boasting an area five times the size of France and with nearly 152 million hectares of forests, the Congo Basin has been renamed the ‘lungs of the planet. But what are the main causes of deforestation in Africa and what could save the continent from the devastating impacts of this phenomenon (karsenty et., al. 2009).

Deforestation in Africa has devastating impacts on the continent’s climate, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Many of the consequences are related to the continent’s ability to withstand the climate change challenge (FAO, 2020). Rescuing Africa’s forests is crucial in order to maintain the country’s economic productivity and save it from the devastating consequences of global warming. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO,2015), the implications of deforestation in Africa are particularly severe due to the continent’s reliance on agriculture and natural resources. According to the African Development Bank (2019), deforestation in Africa is driven by agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development. These activities not only reduce the availability of essential resources but also exacerbate food insecurity and poverty. The loss of forests disrupts traditional livelihoods, leading to migration and urbanization as rural inhabitants seek alternative sources of income (Mastrorillo et al., 2016). Moreover, the degradation of forest ecosystems diminishes cultural practices and social structures that are closely tied to the land and its resources.

Forests cover about 45.6% of Cameroon’s national territory, approximately 21,245,000 hectares (FAO, 2005). Most of her forests form part of the Congo basin forest which is the second largest area of dense tropical forest in the world following the Amazon basin (CARPE, 2006). Cameroon is ranked second in terms of forest cover in Africa after Democratic Republic of Congo. These forests have been divided into permanent and non-permanent forests estates. The permanent forests estates otherwise known as protected areas are considered to be areas belonging to the state and so closed from all unauthorized human activities. These protected areas which are further divided into wildlife protected areas and forest reserves proper (MINEF, 1994) are estimated to cover 11% (approximately 5.2 million hectares) of the national territory (MINEP, 2009). The objective of the first administration was that protected areas should cover at least 20% of the total surface area of the country (MINAGRI, 1973) but this target was later increased to 30% (MINEF, 1994).  Despite these efforts invested by the administration to protect the forests and its related resources, deforestation has not ceased leading to a continuous change in forest cover and land use. An example of a protected area that has gradually been encroached upon is the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve (BNFR) despite the fact that Cameroon signed and ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992 and 1994, respectively.

1.2 Statement of the Research problem.

Rural communities in Bafut are facing a big problem on the effects of deforestation, which involves the destruction of the forest vegetation. Many rural communities no long rely on the forest, because of the depletion and reduction in the forest resources. The communities rely heavily on the forest for their livelihood and they get food, medicine, and other essential things from the forest. However, with deforestation, they are losing their source of income and are struggling to make ends needs to provide for their families. The economic consequences of deforestation are severe leading to loss of their crops, livestock, and other resources. Also, the women and children are the most affected because they have to walk long distances to find firewood, water, and other basic necessities. The social structure of the communities is characterized with increased conflicts over land and resources, causing the situation very critical, and something needs to be done to address the economic consequences of deforestation on the rural communities in Bafut.

Deforestation is causing big problems for the social structure and community relationships in Bafut, this is because the available resources are minimal and these communities experience a growth in their population. The rural communities depend heavily on the forest for their livelihood, and when the forest is destroyed, their way of life is disrupted. The communities are facing breakdowns in their traditional social structures, such as the council of elders and community gatherings. The loss of the forest is also leading to conflicts between community members over land and resources. The communities are experiencing increased tensions, mistrust, and conflicts. 

Despite their dependence on the forest for their survival, the communities lack knowledge and skills on sustainable forest management practices. The current teaching and learning approaches on environmental conservation and sustainable forest management are inadequate, and there is a need for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach that takes into account the needs and perspectives of the rural communities. The findings highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach that integrates traditional knowledge and practices with modern scientific knowledge and techniques. This will require collaboration and partnership between local communities, schools, universities, and other stakeholders to develop and implement effective teaching and learning programs on sustainable forest management and environmental conservation. By enhancing teaching and learning on these critical issues, we can empower the rural communities in Bafut to manage their forests sustainably and protect their environment for future generations.

Communities in Bafut, Cameroon are struggling to adapt to the devastating impacts of deforestation on their economy, stability, and cohesion. Deforestation has ravaged their livelihoods, leaving them without a steady income, food, or resources. In an effort to survive, communities are employing various adaptive strategies, but these coping mechanisms are insufficient, unsustainable, and often exacerbate the problem. For instance, some communities are over-relying on subsistence farming, which depletes the soil, while others are engaging in small-scale logging, inadvertently accelerating deforestation. Furthermore, the lack of access to markets, credit, and technology hinders communities’ ability to diversify their economy and develop resilient livelihoods. As a result, communities are experiencing increased poverty, hunger, and malnutrition, as well as social breakdowns, conflicts, and displacement. The adaptive strategies employed by rural communities in Bafut are not only ineffective but also threaten their very existence, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions that address the root causes of deforestation and support communities in developing resilient and thriving livelihoods.

1.3 Research Question

The research questions of this study were both main and specific questions.

1.3.1 Main Research question

How does deforestation affect the economic stability and social structure of rural communities’ dependent on forest resources in Bafut?

1.3.2 Specific Research questions

1. What are the economic consequences of deforestation for rural communities in Bafut.?
2. How does deforestation influence social structure and community relationships among rural population in Bafut.?
3. What adaptive strategies are rural communities in Bafut employing in response to the impacts of deforestation on their economic stability and social cohesion.?
4. How can the findings on the impact of deforestation on rural communities in bafut inform teaching and learning on sustainable forest management and environmental conservation.?

1.4 Research Objectives

The objectives of this study are divided into both the main and specific objectives

1.4.1 Main Research objective

The main research objectives of this study is to investigate how deforestation has affected the economic stability and social structure of rural communities’ dependent on forest resources in Bafut.

1.4.2 Specific Research Objective

The following specific research objectives of the study are to;

1. Examine the economic consequences of deforestation on rural communities in Bafut.
2. Investigate how deforestation have influence social structure and community relationships among rural population dependent on forest in Bafut.
3. Assess the adaptive strategies that rural communities in Bafut are employing in response to the impacts of deforestation on their economic stability and social cohesion.
4. Examine how findings on the impact of deforestation on rural communities in Bafut can enhance teaching and learning on sustainable forest management and environmental conservation.