Protected Area Management

In Cameroon, all land belongs to the state. The Cameroon legislation makes provision for 33 percent of the national territory to be classified as Protected Areas (PAs). Presently, 22 per cent of the 33 percent have been classified as Protected Areas with, WWF Cameroon providing support and contributing to government efforts in creating and managing nine protected areas and one High Conservation Value  Forest block.

In October 2017, WWF Cameroon adopted a Wildlife Trade Policy, which will be used to support the work of the government in wildlife management in protected areas. WWF Cameroon is also committed to helping with implementation of the October 2017 Arusha commitment to PA management in Africa, addressing key issues such as the added value of PAs, governance, management efficiency, performance and monitoring, and the rights and respect of communities.

At WWF Cameroon, we believe we have a critical opportunity – and responsibility – to work with the government to ensure the management of representative, climate resilient networks of protected areas, together with clear delineation of areas for other types of land-use, e.g. community based natural resources management areas, production forests, etc.

WWF is supporting the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in the management of its protected areas through a memorandum of understanding signed with the ministry.