The Cameroon coastal forest (Mangrove forest) covering a surface area of about 200.000 hectares with a distance of 590km long to the Nigerian and Equatorial Guinea borders is said to be under severe threats by  human and economic activities that impede the conservation of the forest.

The observation was made recently in Buea by the National Coordinator of the Cameroon Mangrove Network, CMN, Dr. Gordon Ajonina, during the Coastal forum and General Assembly of the network that held from the 15 to 17 March at the University of Buea.

According to the Coordinator, having lost as much as about 30 percent of the Mangrove forest (3000 hectares in concrete terms) for the past 20 years, it is incumbent for the network to raise awareness given the importance of the Mangrove ecosystem. The mangrove ecosystem does not only serve as a habitat for fish and other aquatic lives but also serves as a link between the mainland ecosystem and the marine ecosystem. Apart from its socio-economic importance to the coastal population, environment experts say the mangrove forest also serves as soil line protection as well as regulate the gases in the atmosphere and the climate.

These, according to Dr. Ajonina, were the reasons why stakeholders within the coastal areas of Cameroon were brought together during the Coastal Forum and General Assembly of the Cameroon Mangrove Network to discuss about mangrove conservation and management as well as streamline and adopt strategies among civil society organisations and government services to mitigate the effects of climate change with the coastal zones.

In his welcome speech, the National Coordinator said in spite the preponderant role the mangrove ecosystem plays in mitigating the impact of climate change, the mangrove forest traditionally known in Cameroon as ‘Matanda’ is highly under threat of extinction by human activities as they battle for a means of survival.

He proposed the use of smoke ovens to smoke fish for preservation to reduce the amount of mangrove wood cut by the local sea faring population as a short term measure while aforestation be encouraged to replace the felt trees.

Meanwhile, the Representative of the Governor of the South West Region, Denis Ahktalia, while declaring open the Coastal Forum and the General Assembly of the Cameroon Mangrove Network under the theme “Coastal Zone and Climate Change: Role of civil society in assessing resilience of mangroves and developing adaptation strategies, stated that the forum illustrates the commitment of the civil society to assist the government in its policy of sustainable management of its natural resources and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Also present at the forum was the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, UB, Prof. Vincent P.K Titanji, who intimated that UB being the host of the forum will benefit from the multi experience of conservation experts and stakeholders while in turn they would get to know UB’s research results.