Cameroon

Cameroon Demonstration Project: Developing Eco-tourism to alleviate poverty and contribute towards biodiversity conservation

Cameroon offers a surprising diversity of landscapes on the basis of which the Ministry of Tourism sells the destination with the slogan, “The whole of Africa in one country”. The COAST demonstration project is called; Eco-tourism developments in the Kribi beach area (Londji beach, Lobe falls, Grand Batanga), and aims to alleviate poverty, through sustainable alternative livelihoods focusing on eco-tourism and generate revenues for conservation of biodiversity and the benefit of the local community.

In its southern part, the country is covered by the humid equatorial forest which has made possible the constitution of parks (Korup National park) and reserves (Dja reserve of biosphere). Mount Cameroon (4100 m) is one of the highest points in sub Saharan Africa. In the north of the country, many games reserves (Waza, Benoué, Bouba Ndjidadah) exist. With its 360 Km of coastal line, the country shows a wide range of coastal ecosystems, ranging from mangroves near the Nigerian boarder to the surprising beaches with brown sand at the foot of Mount Cameroon. Southwards, the most beautiful beaches are in Mouanko, Souellaba and Yoyo. Surprisingly, this huge potential is yet to be tapped.

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To promote improved conservation, management and monitoring of coastal biodiversity, and to enhance and diversify local livelihoods through eco-tourism as a means of alleviating poverty.

At the end of the planning phase for the COAST project (mid 2006) each partner country had produced (with consultant support) a narrative project document describing in general terms the proposed demonstration project(s). There was no logical framework, no work plan, and only a total budget figure (see below) to guide stakeholders in beginning to implement the project. From January 2009 through to June 2009, based upon a one week visit by the Technical Coordinator to each partner country (during the Inception period of the COAST project) a revised narrative, new logical framework, first year work plan and indicative GEF support budget were developed and discussed. Subsequent to each country visit further support has been provided through email discussions. The demonstration project document now provides a more concise definition of the activities and outputs which are expected to be undertaken at the three sub sites in the Cameroun demonstration project. This short note highlights what are foreseen to be the main challenges in now starting to implement the work. This paper has been written as a subsidiary contribution to the general overview provided in the Inception Report.

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Demo site: KRIBI BEACH AREA

Theme: Eco-tourism

Management Team