Communities are key to sustainable conservation efforts.
The Nyamabande village stands in close proximity to Campo Ma’an National Park. The village is also close to Kribi, which is a big tourism destination due to significant populations of apes and elephants.
The village’s main source of income is the commercialization of non-timber forest products and bushmeat. Currently, the process of collection, washing, and drying of these products results in low-quality products that are unfortunately sold at very low prices. AWF is engaging local people in sustainable income-generating activities by creating non-timber forest products such as bush mango and njansang to produce oilseeds and butter.
Sustainable enterprises like these improve community access to economic opportunities, and increase revenue through the establishment of small and economically viable business activities specialized in non-timber forest products.
AWF also plans to develop and promote ecotourism for the habituated apes living in close proximity to the community. The program will involve both men and women serving as guides in great ape habituation. This will reinforce the village’s implication in natural resource management and ultimately in the protection of Campo Ma’an National Park.