Representing the WCF during the MoU signing were Chief Bernard Lieti Woloko (Forest Management Officer), Ndumbe Ekema Stephen (technical services) and Vikema Samuel Mwanje (President of the Woteva Village Forest Management Committee). ERuDeF was represented by her CEO/President, Louis Nkembi, and the Project Coordinator, Limbi Blessing Tata.
More MoUs are envisaged for the planting of about 3,000 trees in the Bakingili Community Forest and, with the services of the Mt. Cameroon National Park, for the planting of about 12,000 trees along the boundaries of the park and in degraded areas inside the park.
The MoU is aimed at increasing the capacity and participation of community members through the planting of threatened and economic trees in community forests. It would also facilitate the planting and management of threatened trees within the Woteva community forest area and ensure the effective planting out and management of seedlings.
It binds the planting and management of trees planted in the WCF and in farms within the community. As a long term commitment to increase the number of threatened trees in the wild, it is envisaged that about 3,000 seedlings of threatened tree species raised at the project central nursery would be planted out into the WCF.
While ERuDeF will oversee the execution of the project in collaboration and with the support of Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF), it is the responsibility of the community to manage the planted seedlings.
According to the agreement, the NGO will provide seedlings to communities and transport same from Buea to planting sites.
ERuDeF will also subsidise all other activities (land preparation, head load, planting and monitoring of trees).
The project is funded by Fauna and Flora International’s Global Trees Campaign and implementation is done by ERuDeF in collaboration with the services of the Southwest Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife.
By Azore Opio