Community Life around Protected Areas in Cameroon: Conservation Story of Erat and the Resettlement Communities around the Korup National Park

Muafueshiangha Ibrahim Menkeh,Dobdinga Cletus Fonchamnyo,Forbe Hodu Ngangnchi,Vukenkeng Andrew Wujung,Cornelius Mbifung Lambi

doi:10.13189/ujm.2018.060901

Abstract

Current trend in the use or misuse of environmental resources raises strong sustainability issues and the need for preservation. But, should the environment be preserved at the expense of mankind? If the term ‘sustainability’ means the total subjection of the present generation to hardship and misery in favour of the wild (nature), then, ‘sustainability’ is not sustainable. This paper investigates into the quality of life of the Erat and the Resettlement community, formerly known as Ikondo Ikondo I of the South West Region of Cameroon using survey and retrospective designs. In reporting the untold conservation story of the two communities around the Korup National Park (KNP), primary data was collected from 180 participants using 5 point Likert scale questionnaire, and analyzed using the Taylor Linearized Standard Error Correction Technique. The result supports the hypothesis that wild nature is more ‘valuable’ than humans around the KNP as the population continues to be deliberately or otherwise subjected to hardship and misery. With an overall significant result tested using the Fisher’s ratio, and while calling on the authorities to adopt measures that reduce poverty and provide social services and justice, the paper strongly advocates for a drastic shift from fortress to man-centred conservation. It is completely unacceptable that in the 21st Century in Africa, man should be sacrificed for wild nature, no matter what, as he can conveniently live with nature. To achieve this global goal, conservation authorities should report the real impact of their activities.

Highlights

Environmental conservation in many parts of Africa has for a long time been a centralized matter in which resource management was dominated by the application of the fortress conservation model which posits a sharp divide between people’s livelihoods and conservation [1]
A new form of democracy characterized by pre-defined conclusions that are technically imposed on the community is seen to exist in the process of creating many of the protected areas in Cameroon
We ask the following questions: was wild nature created for man or man for wild nature? Is it a crime to be born in areas endowed with wild nature? On the basis of the above questions, this paper investigates into the determinants of the quality of life in the Erat and the Resettlement (Ikondo Ikondo I) communities of the Korup National Park (KNP) of Cameroon

Summary

Introduction

Environmental conservation in many parts of Africa has for a long time been a centralized matter in which resource management was dominated by the application of the fortress conservation model which posits a sharp divide between people’s livelihoods and conservation [1]. The theory and practice of conservation today is seen to be deeply rooted in the concept of sustainability, yet, report suggests that Africa had a long history of preservation for cultural purposes [4]. Communities that have traditionally seen their lives and livelihoods supported by wild nature cannot develop without that natural consideration. Community Life around Protected Areas in Cameroon: Conservation Story of Erat and the Resettlement. Evidence from many parts of Africa suggest that governments are quick to create parks which subject the population to hardship, but fail to follow up future programme development to enhance the park [11]. A new form of democracy characterized by pre-defined conclusions that are technically imposed on the community is seen to exist in the process of creating many of the protected areas in Cameroon. We ask the following questions: was wild nature created for man or man for wild nature? Is it a crime to be born in areas endowed with wild nature? On the basis of the above questions, this paper investigates into the determinants of the quality of life in the Erat and the Resettlement (Ikondo Ikondo I) communities of the Korup National Park (KNP) of Cameroon

Theoretical and Empirical Consideration

Findings

Methodological Issues

Presentation and Discussion of Results