Enhancing Management Competences for a better biodiversity, environment and climate.
Title: Support of the transboundary national park BSB Yamoussa
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Countries: Cameroon and Chad
Lead executing agency: Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC)
Overall term: 2018 to 2022
Background information
The BSB Yamoussa transboundary complex which is including Bouba Ndjida National Park in Cameroon and Sena Oura National Park in Chad, plays an important role in preserving biodiversity in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Central and West Africa. It is as well the implementing area of the political and strategic objectives of the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC). This protected area complex is one of the last remaining refuge areas in the region for most wildlife species and many of these species are threatened by extinction. Important species presently found there are for example elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes and giant eland.
The pressure on the parks is constantly increasing due to continued population growth with its increasing devastating effect on land use through pastoralism and agriculture, illegal exploitation of gold as well as the effects of regional conflicts and the advanced degradation of peripheral areas on the Cameroon side of the complex. In addition, there is an intensification of organized elephant poaching on an international scale. The present conservation services of the two parks, which are forming the BSB Yamoussa complex, do not have sufficient expertise or resources to adequately address these threats.
Objective
The protected area complex BSB Yamoussa is managed and preserved in an sustainable way.
Approach
The project is implemented both in Cameroon and Chad. It works closely with the Executive Secretariat of COMIFAC, which is the contracting authority and partner structure.
The various institutions of the partner structures of the BSB Yamoussa Complex are responsible for the implementation of the project: For Sena Oura National Park (Chad), it is the Ministry of Environment, Water and Fisheries (MEEP). For Bouba Ndjida National Park (Cameroon), it is the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife (MINFOF).
With regards to cross-border cooperation, the responsibility lies with the Intergovernmental Coordination Committee (Binational Supervisory and Arbitration Committee of the Cooperation Agreement for the Establishment and Concerted Management of the BSB Yamoussa Cross-border Complex).
The project is supporting:
- The implementation of intergovernmental agreements and specific protocols for the transboundary management of the BSB Yamoussa Complex through: the establishment and functioning of the institutions, organs and units organized by agreements with the intention of an improved functionality, the strengthening of transboundary cooperation and an efficient fight against international poaching. At the end there will be a better contribution from national park administrations and services.
- Improved living conditions of the people for sustainable local development in harmony with the conservation of natural resources. The Project supports the improvement of family incomes through the promotion of selected value chains, the construction of communal and social infrastructure, the implementation of local development plans and capacity building.
- The formalization of the involvement of populations in the management of protected areas. The project contributes to a better acceptance of parks by the populations, through a support for the elaboration of a framework document which is setting out the modalities of participatory management, capacity building of actors in co-management, the establishment and functioning of co-management structures and the elaboration of concerted action plans and the sensitization of leaders.
- The establishment, in the periphery of Bouba Ndjida National Park, of adapted and concerted regulations for the management of hunting areas. The project supports the strengthening and respect of the "protection wall" around Bouba Ndjida National Park and a better use of the potential of these areas. Especially through the elaboration and implementation of simple management plans for the hunting area, the elaboration of an approach for the reclassification of hunting areas and the participation in finding solutions for transhumance with the conservation objectives in a compatible way.
Results
The cross-border institutions, committees and units have been set up at least partially and started their work, even when they are not yet fully operational.
The preparation of the preliminary draft Specific Protocol on Transbordering Anti-Poaching (LAB), with a view to operationalizing the Ndjamena LAB Tripartite Agreement, in consultation with experts from Cameroon, Central African Republic and Chad.
The concepts of economic promotion of peripheral areas have been developed and tested through concepts like warrantage and the realization of several training sessions on different sectors (honey, moringa, maize and groundnuts).
The fight against poaching has been more effectively structured especially in Cameroon by providing both parks with equipments (communication and IT equipment, ecological monitoring and park management equipment) and training.
The illegal exploitation of the park by pastoralists has been reduced and the pressure on the parks is declining. Also, the attention of Cameroonian officials has been increased and focused to the problem of poorly managed hunting areas in the periphery of the park and as well to other areas of hunting interest in the northern part of the country.