Project Detail

Community-based conservation of globally important biodiversity in the Tubah upland watershed

The project rationale is that the biodiversity in the Tubah watershed ecosystem, particularly medicinal plants is still a relatively intact woodland savannah ecosystem. It covers an area of approximate 64 square km and extends to the Bambui Palace shrine. It is an agro-ecological zone and of outstanding international importance for conservation of the biodiversity, flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the Region. The watershed and shrine provide the main habitat for monkeys, antelopes, baboons, bats and the watard eye banama which is unique in the North West. The proposed project site is the Tubah Watershed and Bambui shrine where small holders farming and grazing has traditionally involved intensive grazing, unsustainable harvesting of medicinal plants, slash-and-burn agriculture and unsustainable wild honey harvesting methods.
Despite recent achievements in the promotion of sustainable land management and forest conservation activities in the region, there remains much to be done to achieve the long-term goal of sustainable management of resources in the Tubah watershed ecosystem. While more sustainable land use techniques have been available and tested in other areas of the North West Region in recent years, they have yet to be widely adopted among graziers and small scale farmers. Moreover these technologies have not been combined and integrated in a framework that promotes the sustainable use of the watershed as an ecosystem.
During the stakeholders workshop held during project preparation in January, 2012 it was confirmed that one of the major obstacles at local level is a lack of experience with an understanding of medicinal plants harvesting and processing, wild honey harvesting and community-based ecosystem management techniques.
Besides, the rapid increase in cattle and human population has resulted in an increase in pressure and progressive shortening of fallow periods. This has caused substantial degradation of the vegetation cover and general decline in soil fertility. The decline in soil fertility in turn has led to decrease in food production. The ecosystem biodiversity is increasingly at risk due to deforestation and encroachment. Therefore, there is unique opportunity in developing local capacity in improved and sustainable community-based ecosystem management techniques.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

CORNERSTONE CIG

Country:

Cameroon

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity
Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP5-Y3 (Jul 13 - Jun 14)

Grant Amount:

US$ 49,690.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 14,907.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 34,783.00

Project Number:

CMR/SGP/OP5/Y3/STAR/BD/13/05

Start Date:

7/2013

End Date:

12/2014

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Project Characteristics and Results

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

- Number of community members (graziers, farmers), particularly women trained and directly supported by the project. - Number of community members (men, women) practising beefarming as an Income Generating Aactivity. - Number of community members (men, women) practising production and processing of medicinal plants

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

- Number of contact meetings held and persons consulted (men, women) - Number of information and sensitization meetings held and stakeholders participating (men, women). - Several radio broadcasts produced on local radio (in local languages) and the population reached.

Capacity - Building Component

- Number of workshops planned and executed - Number of community members (men, women) trained in community-based sustainable management of biological resources. - Number of community members (men, women) trained in beekeeping. - Number of community members (men, women) trained in medicinal plants production and processing - Number of women?s groups created, trained and directly supported by the project.

Gender Focus

Generally, women in Tubah Sub Division, be they Muslims or Christians, remain little empowered in decision making and leadership. The low level of women?s participation in decision making has been reflected in the project. 60-70% of the project benefits such as training and direct support have been allocated for women and youths (boys and girls) in the area. The project activities will be carried out by men, women, boys and girls. Both men and women will be trained as trainers.

Notable Community Participation

Local community members are involved il almost all stages of the project: design, implementation and also Monitoring and Evaluation. Their participation was also substantial during mid-term and final evaluation of the project

Replication of project activities

The project activities are closely linked to and consistent with other government programmes and conservation efforts such as the biodiversity Conservation and Conservation Farming Projects. The capacity building and income generating activities will generate revenues and encourage project implementation and eventual expansion of IEM and CF in other parts of the North West region. Mistakes to be avoided if the project were to be replicated i) Taking a top- bottom approach in project planning ii) If the new technologies are not based on local demand iii) Introducing farming techniques that are not appropriate to the needs of the farmers and local environment. iv) If income generation is not a component of the project v) If women are left out of leadership role in the project.

Project sustainability

The project includes training of trainers and farmers training in Conservation farming and integrated ecosystem management of which the farmers are experimenting themselves with these techniques so that they can develop the techniques most appropriate for their needs and local environmental. The project activities are based on a strong local demand for improvement of farming techniques. The activities are closely linked to the country?s agriculture sectors Investment Programme, as well as to the Conservation Programme to ensure Consistency as well as Continuity of operations beyond the project implementation period.

Project Results

* Four (4) information and raising awreness meetings organized; 7 Traditional Rulers participated instead of four. 201 crop farmers (71 men, 130 women). 148 grazers (129 men, 19 women) also attended.

* Organization of conservation Education Programs on local Radio on Conservation and Sustainable use of Biological Resources in the Bambui and Fulani languages (respectively local community and Indigenous Peoples dialectes) . 24 broadcasts made out for a period of 6 months. 12 community members (8 men, 4 women) participated. 20.000 persons reached out of 15.000 people planned.

* Production and dissemination of information brochures and posters on integrated ecosystem management techniques: More than 8.000 persons were reached through Group discussions, announcements churches, meeting Houses and by traditional methods of communication. 2.000 brochures printed out of 25.000 and distributed in Schools, local market places and meeting houses (500 to be produced on Islam and the Environment in May2014).300 posters printed out of 500. (200 to be printed in June 2014 and displayed in palaces, Council Hall, Ardorates and schools.

*Organization of a training workshop for trainers in concepts and applications of Integrated Ecosystem management: Achieved Results: 2 workshops organized. 1 workshop on concepts and applications of IEM. 40 persons trained out of 40 planned 30 crop farmers (20 men, 20 women), 10 herders (8 men, 2 women), 1 workshop in Pasture Improvement and Night Paddocks in addition. 40 persons trained, 30 crop farmers (10 men, 20 women)
10 herders (men).

* Training of 50 community members in concepts and application of IEM techniques (agroforestry, community fire control, measures, pasture improvement) with community promoters as facilitators: 1 workshop organized out of 1 workshop planned, 50 community members participated 20 crop farmers (10 men, 10 women), 26 herders (18 men, 18 women.

* Development of a Community Herbarium: A nursery of 20.000 seedlings established. 300 community members participating instead of 250 planned. And more than 180 crop farmers (102 men, 78 women) participated and 120 herders (108 men, 12 women) participated.

* Promotion of beefarming activities in the Watershed Area: 1 Training workshop organized. 48 community members trained in beekeeping,among which 28 crop farmers (16 men, 12 women) were actively involved.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Hectares of globally significant biodiversity area protected or sustainably managed by project 20

Biophysical

Tonnes of CO2 decreased or avoided by energy efficient and renewable energy technologies or applying environmentally sustainable transport practices introduced by SGP Project 500

Empowerment

Number of CBOs / NGOs formed or registered through the SGP project 3

Livehood

Number of individuals (gender diaggregated) who have benefited* from SGP project 250

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