Sustainable Wildlife Management

Many of individuals worldwide rely on wild meat for sustenance and livelihoods. It serves as a crucial origin of protein, fat, and important micronutrients, exclusively for Indigenous populations and rural association across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific regions.

The increasing requirement for wild meat, particularly in urban settings, poses a significant challenge. Without sustainable management practices, wildlife populations face the risk of decline, exacerbating food insecurity for communities reliant on this resource. Late studies have underscored the urgency of the situation, tell that overhunting for food jeopardizes the survival of hundreds of wildlife species, pushing them toward extermination. Addressing this issue requires concerted efforts to promote sustainable hunting practices and explore alternative sources of food and income for affected communities.

Holistic Solutions – Sustainable Wildlife Management for Ecosystem Preservation and Community Prosperity

In response to this pressing issue, the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) prepared emerged as a serious international endeavor dedicated to increasing both wildlife protection and food security. The program endeavors to foster novel, cooperative, and scalable methodologies for preserving wild fauna and safeguarding ecosystems, all while advancing the well-being of Original community and rural communities reliant on these resources. As articulated by Lauren Coad, an elder scientist at the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the program seeks to innovate approaches that harmonize wildlife conservation with the improvement of livelihoods for those dependent on such resources.

The SWM Programme commenced its operations in 2018, initially spanning 12 countries. This year marks the inauguration of its second phase, which extends its scope to encompass an additional five nations, including Cameroon. Within this context, the program aims to design and evaluate interrelated pilot frameworks for the regulation and management of hunting and the wildlife trade. These initiatives will be seamlessly integrated into a comprehensive strategy fostering local, sustainable, and inclusive development.

Empowering Communities – Enhancing Institutional Frameworks for Sustainable Land and Resource Management in Cameroon

The investigation endeavors will unfold across 10 Baka townlet and 10 Bantu townlet situated in the Mintom region, nestled within the southeastern periphery of the Dja Faunal Reserve. Notably, this stock occupies a pivotal position within the broader conservation landscape known as the Grand Tridom-Tri-National de la Sangha.

Drawing from this research, the SWM Programme intends to recommend enhancements to institutional arrangements, systems, and tools for the participatory management and utilization of land and natural resources in Cameroon. These proposed improvements aim to facilitate more sustainable and equitable practices while promoting the conservation of wildlife and ecosystems. Furthermore, the program seeks to support the effective implementation of these recommendations, ensuring their practical application on the ground.

Towards Sustainable Wildlife Management – A Threefold Approach for Conservation, Food Security, and Public Health

The work revolves around three primary objectives. Firstly, it aims to promote the sustainable and legal utilization of wild animal populations through participatory management of hunting, fishing, and broader wildlife resources. This management approach will actively involve rural stakeholders and safeguard their livelihoods while adhering to legal frameworks established by both formal regulations and customary law and practices. Importantly, these efforts will prioritize biodiversity conservation, ensuring that resource exploitation remains compatible with the preservation of natural ecosystems.

The second goal aims to diminish the reliance of population centers, whether urban or rural, on wild meat sourced from unsustainable practices. Instead, the target is on promoting healthy and sustainable provide chains to meet dietary needs.

The third goal involves enhancing capacity to reduce zoonotic hazards originating from wildlife at the interface of human-domestic animal-wildlife interactions and within ecosystems. This approach is rooted in the One Health framework, which emphasizes the interrelation of human, animal, and environmental health.

Forging Collaborative Solutions – Workshop Highlights and Pathways for Sustainable Wildlife Management in Mintom, Cameroon

Subsequent to the project’s inception and its presentation to local authorities and stakeholders in November 2023, CIFOR-ICRAF facilitated a workshop in collaboration with the Congo Basin Institute (CBI) on January 30th and 31st, 2024, within the Mintom locality.

“Our primary objective was to identify tangible opportunities for collaboration between implementers, local administration, and the SWM programme at the site level,” remarked Guillermo Ros Brull, the project focal point for SWM Cameroon at CIFOR-ICRAF. “I’m pleased to report that our efforts yielded significant success.”

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in the exchange of information concerning their respective projects and implementation sites. Collaboratively, they delineated their strategies by constructing a Theory of Change.

Fostering Collaboration for Sustainable Development – Achievements and Future Prospects in Mintom, Cameroon

“We effectively collated details regarding the projects and implementation sites of various stakeholders, gaining insights into the strategic objectives of the local administration,” elucidated Ros Brull. “Furthermore, we comprehended the diverse implementing strategies employed by stakeholders, thereby identifying pivotal assumptions crucial for crafting interventions.”

The overarching objective of the workshop was to establish a sustainable and consistent framework for coordinating strategies among various stakeholders within the same locality. The workshop’s success, as evidenced by active engagement and positive feedback, highlights the promising potential for productive partnerships in the Mintom site.

The activities culminated with expressions of gratitude from the head of the development project in Mintom, commending CIFOR-ICRAF for its efforts in enhancing communication between administrations, implementers, and other stakeholders.