Cameroon's tropical forest is home to numerous plants and animals. It is
also inhabited by Baka pygmies who are foragers and Bantu farmers. These
communities have developed forest-dependent livelihoods, cultures and
religions. Destruction of the forest by commercial and state interests,
subsistence agriculture and the harvesting of products has necessitated
a considerable upsurge in environmental protection projects to conserve
and rehabilitate ecosystems, forests, soils and water resources.
Ultimately, the approach to conservation that is applied is the
responsibility of the government and international development agencies.
The case studies documented seek to demonstrate that a broader
perspective linking environmental protection and human welfare is
important for two reasons. First, it addresses the rights and needs of
local people and more marginal groups in society. Second, it also
ensures that fundamental conservation objectives are achieved in
practice with the participation of local people. The book develop
guidelines for a more integrative and socially-aware approach to
environmental planning and project design and implementation. It
outlines a participatory mapping procedure for the design and
implementation of community forest programmes. This is a valuable book
for land resource managers, environmentalists, environmental biologists,
conservators, field workers and technicians involved with environmental
conservation. With the professionalisation of courses in most
universities, the book will constitute good reading for students of
geography, biology, agriculture, forestry, botany and natural resource
management.
