Area of Operation
:: The Mount Cameroon Region
::
Mount Cameroon, with its altitude of 4,095 m, is the third highest mountain in Africa. This region is estimated to cover 2,500 km2 and is described as one of Africa’s major biodiversity “hot spot”. The Mount Cameroon region consist of an array of habitats ranging from mangroves, coastal vegetation, tropical lowland forests, sub-montane and montane forests, grasslands and lava flows. The high montane forests are often covered by clouds and mists that favour trees to be covered by ferns, orchids and mosses.
Forty-nine (49) plant species have been identified as endemics for the Mount Cameroon region. Of all the endemic bird species found in the Cameroonian highlands, twenty (20) are found here. Three (3) primates are endemic to the region: the mandrill, Preuss monkey and red-eared monkey. Finally, other large mammal species of high conservation value are present in significant number: (red-capped) mangabey, forest elephant, chimpanzees and Ogilb and Bay duikers
The population of the region which amounts to 300,000 people consists of the following indigenous ethnic groups: Bakweris, Bomoko and Balondo, who co-habit with a larger migrant population from other parts of Cameroon and from Nigeria. This cultural mix engenders different occupations varying from farming through fishing to harvesting of non-timber forest products.
In recent years, there has been rapid increase in the population in the region as a result of many establishments with employment opportunities. It is also as a result of healthy climate, fertile volcanic soils, scenic beauty, and availability of large tracks of uncultivated land and good access to markets. There is high incidence of soil erosion in the area caused by the high rate of deforestation resulting to loss of fertility which in turn results in low crop productivity, loss of forest habitat and increasing poverty among the local communities. This has also brought about floods which has affected some areas of this region. This region also harbours the headquarters of Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), the largest agro-industrial complex in the country with a workforce second to that of the State (Cameroon). These workers and other dwellers all depend solely on the existing resources around, thereby straining an already overstressed ecosystem. FAAFNET is working in this area in an attempt to alleviate this strain by educating land-users in sustainability.
Our area of operation also includes the Atlantic Ocean view with beaches and coastal features including large area of mangrove, which has a variety of endangered aquatic species. This region has of recent been a point of attraction to international interest. The construction of two Cement Industries, Ship Yard and other large industries envisaged in the area would also go a long way to add to the already existing environmental problems in the region.
Mount Cameroon, with its altitude of 4,095 m, is the third highest mountain in Africa. This region is estimated to cover 2,500 km2 and is described as one of Africa’s major biodiversity “hot spot”. The Mount Cameroon region consist of an array of habitats ranging from mangroves, coastal vegetation, tropical lowland forests, sub-montane and montane forests, grasslands and lava flows. The high montane forests are often covered by clouds and mists that favour trees to be covered by ferns, orchids and mosses.
Forty-nine (49) plant species have been identified as endemics for the Mount Cameroon region. Of all the endemic bird species found in the Cameroonian highlands, twenty (20) are found here. Three (3) primates are endemic to the region: the mandrill, Preuss monkey and red-eared monkey. Finally, other large mammal species of high conservation value are present in significant number: (red-capped) mangabey, forest elephant, chimpanzees and Ogilb and Bay duikers
The population of the region which amounts to 300,000 people consists of the following indigenous ethnic groups: Bakweris, Bomoko and Balondo, who co-habit with a larger migrant population from other parts of Cameroon and from Nigeria. This cultural mix engenders different occupations varying from farming through fishing to harvesting of non-timber forest products.
In recent years, there has been rapid increase in the population in the region as a result of many establishments with employment opportunities. It is also as a result of healthy climate, fertile volcanic soils, scenic beauty, and availability of large tracks of uncultivated land and good access to markets. There is high incidence of soil erosion in the area caused by the high rate of deforestation resulting to loss of fertility which in turn results in low crop productivity, loss of forest habitat and increasing poverty among the local communities. This has also brought about floods which has affected some areas of this region. This region also harbours the headquarters of Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), the largest agro-industrial complex in the country with a workforce second to that of the State (Cameroon). These workers and other dwellers all depend solely on the existing resources around, thereby straining an already overstressed ecosystem. FAAFNET is working in this area in an attempt to alleviate this strain by educating land-users in sustainability.
Our area of operation also includes the Atlantic Ocean view with beaches and coastal features including large area of mangrove, which has a variety of endangered aquatic species. This region has of recent been a point of attraction to international interest. The construction of two Cement Industries, Ship Yard and other large industries envisaged in the area would also go a long way to add to the already existing environmental problems in the region.
