October 10, 2024
Author: Trésor Daniel MEFIRE
Country: Cameroon
Photo credit: DJAWA WALIDJO Alain article/ rural-info.net
SUMMARY
Deforestation, the large-scale destruction of forests, poses a significant environmental challenge globally. Since 1990, approximately 178 million hectares have been lost, with an estimated 4.7 million hectares disappearing annually. Africa, home to the second-largest forest area after the Amazon, loses around 3.4 million hectares each year, while Cameroon alone loses 100,000 hectares annually. The primary drivers of deforestation include agricultural expansion, logging, and poverty. Agricultural practices account for 70% of forest loss in Africa and 52% in Cameroon, driven by population growth and increased demand for arable land. Logging contributes significantly as well, particularly through illegal practices that deplete resources and harm local livelihoods. The consequences of deforestation are dire: it exacerbates climate change by releasing CO2, threatens biodiversity with a significant loss of species, degrades soil quality, leads to water scarcity, and has substantial socio-economic impacts. To address this crisis, a multi-faceted approach is necessary, including promoting sustainable economic activities, developing microfinance initiatives for communities, mobilizing public and private funding, implementing payments for environmental services, and strengthening enforcement against illegal logging.
BACKGROUND
How Deforestation is Affecting Africa and Particularly Cameroon?
Introduction
Deforestation, the large-scale destruction of forests, represents a major environmental challenge of our time, particularly in Africa and Cameroon. Since 1990, approximately 178 million hectares have been lost worldwide (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 2020), with an estimated 4.7 million hectares disappearing annually (World Resources Institute (WRI), 2021). Africa is losing around 3.4 million hectares annually (World Wildlife Fund (WWF), 2021), while in Cameroon alone, an estimated 100,000 hectares are lost each year (Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF), 2021). The negative impacts of deforestation on climate, biodiversity, and local populations are profound and long-lasting, threatening not only the environment but also the livelihoods of communities that depend on these vital ecosystems.
1. Current Situation in Africa and Cameroon
Africa is home to the world's second-largest forest area after the Amazon, representing a precious environmental asset. However, this natural heritage is under threat. The continent loses around 3.4 million hectares of forest every year (World Wildlife Fund (WWF), 2021). Cameroon alone loses 100,000 hectares of forest per year, at an annual rate of 0.88% (Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF), 2021). This deforestation places Cameroon in fourth position among African countries with the greatest loss of forest cover between 2001 and 2019 (Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), 2020).
2. Root Causes of Deforestation
2.1. Agricultural Expansion:
Population growth, increased demand for arable land, and the use of unsustainable agricultural practices generate drivers of deforestation. Agricultural expansion accounts for 70% of forest loss in Africa and 52% in Cameroon (WRI, 2021). The conversion of 4.3 million hectares of forest to farmland between 2000 and 2010 in Africa illustrates the scale of this phenomenon (FAO, 2020).
2.2. Logging:
Logging is another major driver of deforestation, accounting for 20% of responsibility in Africa and 38% in Cameroon (Global Forest Watch (GFW), 2021). Illegal and unsustainable logging for precious woods such as mahogany depletes forest resources and deprives local populations of their livelihoods.
2.3. Poverty and Lack of Alternatives:
Poverty and the lack of economic alternatives for local populations are significant concerns, especially since 60% of these communities in Africa depend on forests for their livelihoods (Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), 2018). This situation constitutes a major aggravating factor in deforestation, which can be perceived as a means of survival for obtaining arable land or firewood.
3. Consequences of Deforestation
3.1. Climate Change:
Deforestation is a major contributor to climate change as felled trees release CO2 captured from nature. In Africa, it is responsible for 12% of greenhouse gas emissions, and 3.5% in Cameroon (FAO, 2020).
3.2. Loss of Biodiversity:
Deforestation leads to an alarming loss of biodiversity. In Africa, around 20% of animal and plant species are threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction; in Cameroon, this figure is approximately 15% (WWF, 2020).
3.3. Soil Degradation:
Deforestation negatively impacts soil quality. In Africa, it is estimated that 30% of agricultural production capacity is lost due to erosion and nutrient loss caused by deforestation; in Cameroon, the loss is about 20%. This degradation affects food security and exacerbates poverty among local populations (United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), 2016).
3.4. Water Scarcity:
Forests play a crucial role in regulating the water cycle. Deforestation disrupts this cycle and can lead to a shortage of drinking water. In Africa, about 25% of the population depends on forests for access to drinking water; in Cameroon, this figure rises to 40% (FAO, 2018). The loss of forest cover affects the availability and quality of water, threatening health and well-being.
3.5. Socio-Economic Impact:
Deforestation has considerable socio-economic consequences. In Africa, it results in an estimated loss of $3.5 billion annually; in Cameroon, this loss is approximately $500 million each year (World Bank, 2019). It leads to conflict and migration while affecting the livelihoods of local populations who depend on forests for food, water, firewood, and medicine.
4. Strategies for Sustainable Forest Management
Combating deforestation requires a multi-sectoral approach with well-defined solutions that address both environmental and socio-economic factors. Here are several strategies that can be implemented:
Promotion of Sustainable Economic Activities: Support the green jobs creation in sectors that value local natural and cultural resources, such as ecotourism, agroforestry, and the processing of non-timber forest products. By investing in sustainable practices, communities can derive income while preserving their forests.
Microfinance Initiatives: Developing microfinance projects can empower local populations by providing them with the necessary funds to start sustainable economic activities. This financial support can help reduce reliance on forest resources for survival.
Public and Private Funding: Encouraging private investment alongside mobilizing public funds is crucial for supporting anti-deforestation initiatives. Governments and organizations should create incentives for businesses to engage in sustainable practices.
Payments for Environmental Services (PES): Implementing PES schemes can reward forest owners for maintaining ecosystem services provided by their forests, such as carbon sequestration, water purification, and biodiversity conservation.
Strengthening Law Enforcement Against Illegal Logging: Improving monitoring and control measures is essential to combat illegal logging activities. This includes enhancing collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and NGOs to ensure sustainable forest management.
Conclusion
Deforestation is a complex and urgent problem that requires concerted action at all levels, local, national, and international. A collaborative, multi-sectoral approach is essential to effectively combat this scourge. By integrating sustainable economic practices, enhancing community engagement, and enforcing protective measures for forests, joint efforts can be made to save our forests and build a sustainable future for all.
REFERENCES
1. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2020). Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020. FAO Forestry Paper 163.
2. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2018). The State of the World’s Forests. FAO Report.
3. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2020). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. FAO Report.
4. World Resources Institute (WRI). (2021). Global Forest Watch. https://www.globalforestwatch.org/
5. World Wildlife Fund (WWF). (2021). Deforestation in Africa. WWF Report.
6. Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF). (2021). Forest Cover Change in Cameroon. MINFOF Report.
7. Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). (2020). Deforestation Trends in Central Africa. CAFI Report.
8. World Resources Institute (WRI). (2021). Deforestation Drivers in Africa. WRI Report.
9. Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). (2018). The Role of Forests in Rural Livelihoods. CIFOR Report.
10. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2016). Soil Degradation: A Global Threat. UNEP Report.
11. World Bank. (2019). The Economic Cost of Deforestation in Africa. World Bank Report.
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