[Based on the Project Idea Note of September 2009]
The afforestation and reforestation project aims at creating a plantation of 500 ha in the degraded savannah lands of the forest reserve Gashiga. Fast-growing and multi-purpose species will be used for these plantations: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia senegal, Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica and Anacardium occidentale, which will allow for the protection of soil and the production of firewood and timber. In addition, the project activity will lead to improved soil fertility, avoid erosion, improve water regimes and enhance biodiversity through maintaining and restoring habitats.
Local farmers cultivate millet, sorghum and wheat at the expense of natural species such as acacia, caïlcédrat and others. Furthermore, the population exploits the reserve through firewood collection or periodic cattle grazing during the rainy season. These activities would continue in absence of the project and consequently cause a continuous degradation.
In 1996, Cameroon commenced a decentralisation process which involves a transfer of competences to the regions and municipalities. In the forest sector, the entitlement to a reforestation activity will be transferred to local communities which, in due course, can develop communal forest plantations. This effectively contributes to the development of their local livelihoods.
The methodological approach is to involve the local community in each of the project phases (participatory planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation). Hereto, technical support is provided to the local community, which includes, amongst others, the acquisition of forest seeds, training on production technology of plant material, the creation of nurseries for seedling production and the establishment of plantations.
The local community will benefit from the restoration of the Gashiga reserve and the establishment of a forest heritage. The participatory and sustainable management of the forest will make additional resources available to the local community and respond to their needs. In addition, the implementation of this project will lead to job creation.
Generally, the project activities will contribute to climate mitigation efforts by increasing the canopy of the savannah and improving the sequestration of C02.
The project activities will be carried out under the technical supervision of Agence Nationale d'Appui au Développement Forestier (ANAFOR).