SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT, ECOTOURISM, AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

1. Promoting Community Based Actions for Ecosystem Restoration and Alternative Livelihood in the Santchou Wildlife Reserve (SWR), Cameroon

This project was launched in December 2023 and ended in November 2024. The goal of the project was to contribute towards the restoration of degraded areas and to limit the rate of encroachment into the SWR as a way of safeguarding the endangered dwarf elephants and dwarf buffalos and the endemic bird species. The one year project was funded by The Pollination Project and New England Biolabs Foundation.

The project led to the following key outputs/outcomes:

1. Over 750 members drawn from six communities within the Santchou Wildlife Reserve including school pupils, youths, women, farmers and poachers gained fresh knowledge and understanding about the reserve, dwarf elephants, buffalos, endemic birds and how they can contribute to conserving these endangered species and their habitat. Monitoring and Evaluations showed knowledge increase of about 22.5% compared to baseline levels.
2. Four school environmental clubs were created in four schools in the reserve. Conservation education was included in nature study subject by some teachers to educate pupils on biodiversity conservation issues.
3. Some 30 selected community members gained hands-on knowledge and skills on sustainable forest management techniques. Five of these community members were selected by the communities to serve as the local forest management committee.
4. The skills of 60 community members were enhanced on apiculture and mushroom farming techniques. They were provided with startups materials and equipment to enable them put their knowledge and skills in to practice. These 60 members were empowered to further train at least 10 members each. This will increase their household income and help reduce their dependence on forest resources.
5. Some 60 farmers voluntarily adopted the practice of agroforestry. This was thanks to the agroforestry and organic agriculture training carried out during the project.
6. Over 2000 seedlings of non-timber forest products such as Njansang and bitter cola were distributed free of charge to 60 farmers to plant on their farms.
7. A total of 1500 tree seedlings of Njansang and bitter cola were planted by community members in priority degraded areas in the reserve, contributing to the restoration of the reserve.
8. A friendly relationship between the state conservation team and the local community members was strengthened by the project. This was thanks to a friendly football match organized by the project which created a forum for awareness raising and the validation of a conservation action plan with community members. This helped to increase anti poaching patrol coverage by 30% as revealed by the conservator.