GIZ to optimize communal forests management

GIZ is set to optimize communal forests management during a regional workshop which on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 in Yaoundé.

Implementation of communal forestry, was the theme developed.

It is an initiative of GIZ which saw the participation of the Association of forest towns of Cameroon (ACFCAM) and the Communal Forest Technical Centre (CTFC), under the patronage of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF).

"This meeting brings together not only the common forest of Cameroon, but also their counterparts from Benin and Cote d'Ivoire," said the president of the ACFCAM, Janvier Mongui Sossomba, in his inaugural speech.

The objective of the foundation that will extend until December 17 is to continue the capitalization process initiated through the sharing and dissemination of key lessons and knowledge arising from 15 years of implementation of forest development experience in different regions of Cameroon.

It is common issue presented at the workshop by mayors, delegations from Benin and the Ivory Coast, two countries in the area of the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC), state institutions, partners and international organizations to exchange on valuable opportunities to effectively implement the forest.

For two days, the municipalities will be equipped on good practice to adopt. This is among others to optimize the governance of the said forests institutionalizing the practice account application by mayors and municipal authorities and by making public information on all the forest management process. The municipalities will also learn how to manage "effectively", revenues generated by the communal forests.

To date, Cameroon has 27 classified communal forests, including those of Batouri, Dimako and Yokadouma. To these are added more than 21 other unclassified forests like those in Ndikinimeki, Ayos and Ndom / Ngambé / Nyanon.

Communal forestry represents a community development tool, forest restoration and fight against the degradation of these. It is also a source of employment and direct revenues for municipalities, and a framework for citizen participation in decision making.