Land tenure legislation and soil security concerns in Cameroon

Abstract

This chapter explores the interface between land tenure rights and soil security and screens through the Cameroonian land tenure legislation in order to identify relevant provisions that guarantee soil security. The chapter builds on key tenure right theories and environmental law principles that underpin soil security within the framework of land tenure governance, arguing that the Cameroonian land tenure legislations does not comprehensively address soil security concerns. In consequence of such a timid response to soil security concerns, soil is lamely protected within the framework of land governance in Cameroon. A key recommendation for this legislative gap is that to guarantee soil security, there is urgent need to embark on land tenure legislative reforms in order to clearly establish the responsibility of all land rights holders to protect soils.