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The people of Mbetta, Kupe Muanenguba Division, Southwest region of Cameroon have for the first time received lessons on conservation from members of the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Program, Akeh Nug and Emmanuel Ndip at ERuDeF. The team visited this area whose forest is reported to be filled with some endangered wildlife species on May 28, 2014 and the goal was to educate the schools and the community on the need to protect these endangered species and the role the can play to achieve this mission
Mbetta, the head quarter of the Mbo clan has a population of less than 500 inhabitants and is home to both endemic endangered wildlife species including; duikers, elephants, red river hog, chimpanzees, porcupines, buffaloes and a host of other small mammals and endangered birds like Bannerman’s Toracco.
The main economic activities here is agriculture; cocoa farming, palm oil production, small scale fishing, palm wine production for local consumption, hunting and trapping. About 95% of the people depend heavily on the forest for their livelihood. Each year vast portions of the forest are being destroyed for farm extension and the wildlife population has also suffered due to intense illegal hunting and loss of habitat.
In an effort to help conserve this area, the ESD team during this visit, explained to the people about the different population of wildlife found in their area and why they need to protect them. They explained that current threats facing wildlife are mostly related to harmful human activities and that benefits could accrue for the community if they participate in the conservation of their natural resources.
During school education pupils were introduced to the general concept of the environment. Interestingly enough, some pupils proved to have some knowledge of conservation as well as knowledge of some wildlife species found in their area.
The Administration of the different schools visited were impressed with the coming of the ESD team in their school. “I think introducing conservation education in schools is the best way to achieve the goal of conservation given that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow” the Head Master of GS Fonven said. “My area is rich in biodiversity, but needs help on how to harness this natural resource for posterity and given ERuDeF’s experience, I think they are a square peg in a square hole” said the Chief of Mbetta.
A total of over 150 pupils in GS Fonven benefited from this unique conservation lesson and at the end of the visit, the Chief of Mbetta concluded by saying they are ready to collaborate with ERuDeF in preserving their heritage.
Mbeta is a forest adjacent community of the proposed Mak-Betchou Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Emmanuel Ndip