Nigeria, Cameroon Strengthen Cross Border Conservation
Nigeria and Cameroon have taken steps to strengthen trans-boundary conservation to protect gorillas and other endangered wildlife species in their forests.
This was disclosed at a workshop organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in collaboration with government stakeholders in Calabar, Nigeria.
The theme of the workshop was “Wildlife without Borders: Strengthening Trans-boundary Conservation Collaboration between Nigeria and Cameroon’’.
Mr Andrew Dunn, the Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa of the International union of Conservation Network (IUCN), a Trans-boundary Conservation Specialist Group, gave some insights, saying protected areas should be seen as providers of benefits beyond their “boundaries on a map, beyond the boundaries of nation states, across societies, genders and generations.
“Trans-boundary conservation has potential benefits for bio-diversity and people as well as political and economic benefits,” he said.
In his speech, the Chairman of Cross River State Forestry Commission, Mr. Odigha Odigha, urged the workshop to develop plans for the engagement of boundary communities “if we hope to succeed in our conservation efforts.”
“We need them to be involved in this process and we need to recognize the fact that we can’t manage these forests as effectively as they can.
“To strengthen the trans-boundary conservation between the two countries, it was resolved that law enforcement and protection; research and monitoring; community involvement and conservation education and capacity building be put in place” he added.
He said that the two countries agreed that strengthening joint patrols between Cross River National Park in Nigeria and Korup National Park and Takamanda National Park in Cameroon was identified as an urgent priority to reduce levels of poaching.
“The control of illegal logging requires more dialogue for improved solutions to address the trans-boundary trade in timber,” he said.
It was agreed at the workshop that there should be an annual workshop to promote trans-boundary conservation between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Representatives from Cameroon include officials of the country’s ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Takamanda National Park, Mount Cameroon National Park, the Programme for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, WWF and WCS.
Source African Press Agency
African News from NetNewsPublisher.com
Category: Animal Kingdom
