Jaff Francis Agiamntebom (ELP 2022) | Coordinator, Forest and Agfroforestry Promoters (FAP NGO), Cameroon
TREE PLANTING AND BEE KEEPING TO REHABILITATE DEGRADED WATERSHED AREAS IN COMMUNITIES ADJACENT TO THE BALI-NGEMBA FOREST RESERVE (Bamenda 1 Council area NWR Cameroon), was a project funded by AFR100-TERRA MATCH, implemented by Forest and Agroforestry Promoters (FAP NGO).
This project has the objective, “To empower communities adjacent Bali-Ngemba forest reserve (Bamendakwe) to engage in sustainable watershed biodiversity conservation and livelihood/job creation activities that will act as incentives for watershed conservation”.
The project started in 2022 with the planting of 23,000 indigenous tree species in water catchment areas, Agroforestry farm plots and Afforestation in private lands. As of 31st of July 2023 FAP NGO has planted over 75,000 indigenous tree species including; Mahogany, Prunus Africana, Maesopes, Vitex and Agroforestry and bee loving tree species (Luceana and Accasia Angustissima).
The first tree seedlings planted averaged 20cm in height and three (3) months after the tree planting session ended, the tree growth was seen to measured 35cm with the tallest being 40cm for Pronus Africana, Maesopses, Leucena and Accasia Angustissima, while Mahogany saplings exhibited a slower growth measured between 25cm to 28cm. This shows that the trees are growing at a good pace proving that the rehabilitation of the degraded watershed area in the Bamenda Council area will improve with further efforts.
The project started with the reorganization of the Bangshe Water Management Committee (WMC) created in 1995, the new WMC was named; New Bangshe Water Management Committee, the committee was elected by the community through democratic elections. The committee was made up of Youth, Women and Men.
As of October 2023 the project has empowered 76 womem, men and youths through capacity building on Bee keeping and Agroforestry farming practices within the Bamenda 1 council area watershed. Some of the Bee farmers, especially the water management committee of Bangshe and women groups trained, were supported by Bee Hives.
The project has achieved the following goals;
Environmental Goals:
- Increase in water flow year round from trees planted watercatchment areas.
- Reductions in the effect of climate change from increase in vegetation cover.
- increase absorption of carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Habitats for wildlife created and forage for bee
- Reduction of surface run-off, nutrient leaching and soil erosion through impending effect of tree roots and stems of these processes
Socio-economic Goals:
- A functional water management committees to continue project activities after funding
- Increase in food crop production and honey from agroforestry practices and bee keeping.
- Diversification of agricultural products, such as fuelwood, medicinal plants, and multiple crops, increases income security.
- Increase job creation from agroforestry farming practices and the sales of Honey and other Bee hive products.
SDGs Impacted
- SDG-2: Food Security
- SDG-13: Climate Action
- SDG-15: Biodiversity