Contemporary Deforestation and the Vulnerability of Forest Peoples in the Southeast Forest of Cameroon
Journal Title: Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences - Year 2018, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Abstract:Vulnerability of forest peoples (FPs) in the light of deforestation has received very little attention in contemporary environmental discourses and actions unlike forest and forest resources depletion within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity and climate change. Influence of foreign capital and the generalisation of the notion of agriculture being the fundamental driver of deforestation in the tropics, set the pace for deemphasizing the vulnerability of FPs to large-scale drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. This paper examines the extent to which deforestation and forest degradation perpetrated by exogenous stakeholders predispose FPs to socio-cultural, economic and environmental vulnerability in the southeast forest (SEF) zone of Cameroon. In-depth secondary data sourcing was carried out while primary data were collected from representatives of State Ministries, workers in industrial plantations, mining, dam construction, logging companies, FPs and a human rights activist using questionnaires, interview and focus group discussion (FGD) guides and field observation. Findings showed that paucity of Cameroon’s environmental political will, inadequate human, material and financial resources, emergence euphoria and State acceptance of baiting gifts from foreign partners created plenty of room for legal oversights on fundamental deforestation and forest degradation drivers to which FPs, particularly indigenous Baka, are most vulnerable. Alleviating their vulnerability, achieving economic emergence and environmental resilience in the SEF zone require human resource development, an unprecedented political will, effective policy implementation and monitoring of deforestation and forest degradation drivers, as well as formalise tenure security, adjudicate intercommunity dialogue, informed consent and equitable benefit sharing. Keywords: Deforestation, deforestation drivers, foreign capital, forest peoples, forest resources and vulnerability.
Authors and Affiliations
Enchaw Gabriel Bachange
Keywords
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