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[/one_third]Plans are underway to plant over 3000 seedlings of threatened trees species at the Bomoko Cluster of the Mount Cameroon National Park (MCNP) by The Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF). The tree species include Zebrawood (Microberlinia bisulcata) Azobe ( Prunus africana) and Mahogany (Entandrophragma angolensis),
This revelation was made during a meeting, which took place at the conference room of the Park Service.
Aimed at establishing a plan for tree planting at the Bomboko cluster of the Park, the Conservator, Bessong Simon, expressed gratitude to ERuDeF and partner, Fauna and Flora International (FFI) for their enormous supports to the management of MCNP.
“I am grateful for the support ERuDeF and FFI have offered to the management of the park and its peripheral zones. I am particularly grateful for your efforts in planting threatened trees at the borders of the park and the surrounding community forests” the Park Conservator stated.
For ERuDeF to successfully carry out this activity, Mr. Besong recommended that feasibility studies be carried out before planting begins.
“For these trees to be properly planted, it is important to set aside some days to coordinate boundary opening activity in the adjacent communities. The boundaries should be opened 2km apart to facilitate monitoring and avoid fire incidences in the future. Without that, efforts will have been wasted” he advised.
The Conservator was particularly happy with the inclusion of the Pygeum tree at the Buea cluster during the last planting exercise. This is because of its economic benefits to the Park and the adjacent communities. He instructed that the trees be planted 1.5m apart so a hedge could be established in the future. He therefore solicited for financial support for the sustainable management of the trees planted.
The meeting was attended by the Project Coordinator, the Conservator, Bessong Simon and the Head of Monitoring and Research Unit at MCNP, Mbeng Henderson.
By Adeline Tengem
