Day: May 24, 2023

Deforestation, the use of chemicals such as pesticides by farmers, and Agro pastoral conflicts are some of the activities identified as major causes of the degrading nature of the Mount Bamboutos landscape linking 8 municipalities in the West, North West, and South West Regions.

This was revealed during a workshop organized on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 by Rainbow Environment Consult at the conference hall of the Babadjou Council. The workshop that went in line with the Community Based Landscape Management project, COBALAM, was aimed at discussing with farmers and grazers at the Mount Bamboutos landscape, and members of the Babadjou Council landscape management committee, to identify degrading factors on the landscape.

Among the major problems identified, were the use of chemicals such as pesticides by farmers, deforestation, and agro-pastoral conflicts.

” Also, water is gradually becoming scarce in the zone. These are realities noted during this workshop by participants. This study will help us get optimum solutions in the nearest future to restore the landscape. ” WADO Darling of Rainbow Environment Consult told us.

After the identification of these major problems, the COBALAM project on the Mount Bamboutos landscape will be implemented by Rainforest Alliance, we learned.

After taking part in the workshop, the 1st Deputy mayor, Mr Nolabo Paul was optimistic that the project will go a long way to restore the landscape.

” My impressions are good because, from presentations made this afternoon and the diagnostic works done by experts, I think the Mount Bamboutos landscape which links many Municipalities, will once again have its Biodiversity restored.” Nolabo Paul, said

Farmers on the landscape, on whom accusing fingers are being pointed, for the use of chemicals and deforestation, say they gradually understand where the project is heading to.

” This workshop as I understood, guides us towards the restoration of the Mount Bamboutos landscape. I think we can attain the goal. I think if we retire this landscape through reforestation, for example, it will be beneficial for both our ecosystem and us. It’s difficult because we carry on agriculture as our main source of living on this landscape but I hope if this project is implemented, things will be alright ” A participant told us.

The project, put in place by the Government of Cameroon, concerns the councils of Mbouda, Nkongdzem, Babadjou, Bafou, and Fongo Tongo councils in the West Region; Alou and Wabane in the South West Region, and Santa in the North West Region.

It targets at least 3,000 direct beneficiaries over five years (2020-2025), with 50 percent being women. About 10 percent of the total landscape population is going to benefit directly from the project.”

The project is aimed at removing Barriers to Biodiversity Conservation, Land Restoration, and Sustainable Forest Management through Community-based Landscape Management, COBALAM.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, said his office condemn the kidnap and torturing of 30 women by heavily armed separatist fighters in Kedjom-keku village (Big Babanki), Tubah sub-division of the North West region on May 19 at about 8:30 am.

Simon Emile Mooh said the act is an example of gender-based violence and untold barbarism against armless civilians.

He went further to say that the perpetrators of this act against the elderly women, commonly called the “TAKUMBENGS” will not go unpunished.

In the release, Simon Emile Mooh mentioned that security forces have opened an investigation to track down the armed men and bring them before the law.

He reiterated the call for the population to collaborate with the administrative authorities, defense, and security forces to denounce and fish out these peace enemies for the return of normalcy.

The women were kidnapped following a peaceful protest organized on May 19, for an end to the atrocities of separatist fighters against the population.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Mobility from Deuk to Kon-Yambetta and vice versa in the Mbam and Inoubou division of the Centre region remains a veritable misery faced by the populations of these two localities.

The lone ferry that used to transport people, their goods, vehicles, motorcycles, and other materials is still unrepaired since it got bad on 19th June 2020, disconnecting the two localities.

Transportation is now done with the use of canoes powered by engines.

Apart from this issue, Deuk is also confronted by poor road networks. Most of its roads are seasonal and hectic to access during the rainy season.

“The nightmare is that of the roads. We suffer a lot. I can’t count how many times I have fallen from a bike. You understand what it means to live in an area without passable roads.” Mamouda Ibrahim, a native of Deuk recounted.

Electricity in Deuk is as well regarded as a luxury good, including pipe-borne water.

The newly installed D.O of Deuk, OKONG Louis-Phillippe has been challenged to work with the population, traditional leaders, and security forces to give the locality security and a new facelift.

“You must ensure the security of this people by working in collaboration with the traditional rulers, natives, and security forces for peace and security to prevail. Make sure the territory is safe from all sorts of criminal bands.” Addressed, Absolom Monono Woloa SDO for Mbam and Inoubou Division.

The Senior Civil administrator also urged the incoming D.O not to allow politicians to distract him from executing his duties justly. Instead, he should rally with the population, traditional leaders, administrative authorities, and security forces to get Deuk out of underdevelopment.

” When we have a lot to do, it is not necessary to walk on the path of darkness but light. This locality needs one thing, development. Dining with politicians will only send Deuk to the core of the earth.” The SDO added.

Deuk came into existence in 1992 and is one of the nine sub-divisions making up the Mbam and Inoubou Division. Agriculture is the principal activity but unfortunately, the farmers go through hell, to evacuate the farm produce to markets in and out of Deuk.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Island Conservation Society (ICS) – a non-profit organisation in Seychelles – has extended its conservation presence in the Aldabra group of islands with the opening of a new conservation centre on Astove, which the sixth one among others based on various islands in the archipelago.

In a press communique last week, ICS, which was set up in April 2000, said that the centre will also extend its work on the atoll of Cosmoledo where a sooty tern census is expected to be held later this month.

The new centre is located on Astove Atoll located over 1,000km southwest of the main island of Mahe. The atoll is part of the Aldabra Group, which also includes Assomption Island.

The ICS conservation officer on Astove, Jake Letori, said that opening the centre is easier said than done.

“The remoteness of the atolls with few transport options makes it logistically difficult and time-consuming to deliver equipment to the staff, especially in the southeast monsoon, making it challenging for the team,” he explained.

ICS said that the opening of the new Astove Conservation Centre highlights the start of the long-term presence of ICS on the raised coral atolls which host exceptional marine and terrestrial flora and fauna. The atoll is the most important unprotected biodiversity hotspot in Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.

The current main conservation priorities involve undertaking habitat assessments and removal of invasive alien species (IAS) such as cats. This will allow the reintroduction of land bird species from neighbouring Aldabra Atoll. The removal of invasive vegetation will also help to increase habitat sites for seabirds.

The new centre will also facilitate the annual sooty tern census on Cosmoledo, a task which will provide an updated estimate of the breeding population on the atoll. During the census, other seabirds will be monitored including the only breeding population of brown boobies in Seychelles, alongside red-footed boobies.

A small number of great frigatebirds and red-tailed tropicbirds also choose to nest on Cosmoledo and on rat and cat-free islands.

The director of conservation and science, Gregory Berke, said that although Astove and Cosmoledo do not fall under the same protection as Aldabra, ICS aims to conserve and monitor their unique wildlife populations and restore habitats to their natural state.

“This marks the beginning of a very long mission and while it may take some time before the centres are fully operational, it is a historic step in the right direction for conservation,” he added.

Berke said that with so much to discover, a lot will be gained to benefit Seychelles and further global communities, and “throughout the journey, ICS will continue to share with you its progress and the extraordinary natural beauty that both atolls have to offer.”

With the presence of ICS and the support of the Islands Development Company (IDC), which is a state-owned entity, and the tourism company Blue Safari Seychelles, it is hoped that illegal fishing activities which have been a cause of concern in the area will be reduced.

In the future, ICS is aiming to expand its programmes on Astove and Cosmoledo to include monitoring of marine biodiversity including sharks.

Source: Seychelles News Agency