The chiefs and elites of Nkongho-Mbo have resolved to in the months ahead transmit a letter to the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife expressing their desire for the creation of a protected area in their clan.

This resolution was arrived at, January 13, 2017, at the end of the Nkongho-Mbo Review and Planning Meeting towards the Creation of the Proposed Mak-Bechou Wildlife Sanctuary, after a unanimous decision by the chiefs and elites to support the creation of a protected area in Nkongho-Mbo.

Speaking on behalf of the Chiefs, the traditional ruler of Jungo village, His Royal Majesty Fonjungo, said the creation of this protected area will help in the conservation of their “God-given resources and the sustainable development of the area”. The representative of the elites, Justice Fonjock Ekenya corroborated the Chief adding that the creation of the protected area will as well aid in the conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants and the development of Nkongho-Mbo’s touristic potentials.

The chiefs and elites promised to stand firm together to support the development and implementation of conservation programmes in their clan with the mentorship of the Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF). Both chiefs and elites resolved to meet with the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife in April, 2016 to declare their desire for the creation of a protected area in their clan.

ERuDeF’s President/CEO of ERuDeF, Louis Nkembi, commended the commitment of the chiefs and elites of Kongho-Mbo reiterating the indispensability of nature to man. “We need nature to survive but nature does not need us to survive” Mr. Nkembi said pledging his organisation’s support in training and capacity building for sustainable development in the Nkongho-Mbo Area.

In order to ensure the proper spelling and adequate representation of adjacent villages in the map, the ERuDeF boss promised to complete mapping area and updating existing map with the aid of the administrative map of the area by March 30, 2017.

Mr. Nkembi also pledged his organisation’s willingness to develop a website for Nkongho-Mbo clan to give visibility to the activities of the people of Nkongho-Mbo. A gesture that was greatly appreciated by the chiefs and elites of Nkongho-Mbo, who promised to ensure content development and management of the site.

To limit differences that exists amongst adjacent communities to protected area, ERuDeF and the representatives of the chiefs and elites, agreed to meet with Fon of Mbetta, Lekwe and Dinte villages to resolve issues patterning to community engagement and the sustainable development of projects in the area.

The chiefs and elites of Nkongho-Mbo and staff of ERuDeF agreed that some two cooperatives be created in the area to ensure sustainable development and income generation amongst others. The cooperatives include the Nkongho-Mbo Farmers, and Women cooperatives. Meanwhile it was resolved that the protected area in question, was going to be known the Proposed Mak-Mikiih Wildlife Sanctuary.

The meeting was organised by ERuDeF with financial support from Rainforest Trust-USA and supervision from the Southwest Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife.