Indigenous Knowledge in Forest Resource Exploitation and Management in Manjo Subdivision, Littoral Region, Cameroon

Abstract

This study was carried out in Manjo subdivision in the Mungo Division, Littoral Region Cameroon with the main aim of examining the contributions of Indigenous Knowledge Strategies in forest resource management in which the local population depend on their exploitation and use for survival. Data were collected from randomly selected 542 households in nine (9) villages of the study area using semi-structured questionnaires, Focus Groups Discussions, interviews and field observations. The data was further treated using Excel version 2013 and the results presented in the form of tables. Plates were equally taken to portray the field reality. The study results identified about thirty-five (35) types of both wood and non-wood forest products which the local households indigenously exploit and used as sources of food, energy, healthcare as well as materials for carving, weaving, furniture, roofing, and fencing of households homes, farms for security purposes. The study found that these forest products are indigenously conserve through strategies like selective felling, sectional harvesting of tree barks, selective harvesting of leaves, planting, and exploitation of mature trees only, integration of indigenous agroforestry and beekeeping. Despite these available IKS, households still face some challenges such as lack of hybrid seeds (41.7%), the period of growth of some products (35.4%) and the nature of IKS (22.9%) which slow down their conservation and management strategies. The study therefore recommended for the promotion of research on hybrids seeds of forest products.