Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)

Contractor:
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Project Code: 012-680-018	Start Date: 01/01/1997	End Date: 31/03/1998
Commitment: £89,000	Status: Awaiting Confirmation of Completion	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
Mount Kupe is a 2,050 metre mountain on the border of the Southwest and Littoral Provinces of Cameroon. The mountain is covered, from an approximate altitude of 1,000 metres, with dense primary forest, consisting of a mix of lowland and mountain species. The forest is of great importance both for its conservation value and as a water catchment and supplier of NTFPs to forest adjacent communities.

A first phase of the Mount Kupe Forest Project, managed by Birdlife International, ended in August 1995. The work carried out in the first phase included environmental edcuation and sensitisation activities, facilitation of income generation activities compatible with forest conservation, biological research and initial dialogue with members of forest adjacent communities concerning potential participation in future forest management.

This project will aim to build on previous achievements and learn from past experiences, while continuing to move towards a sustainable forest management system based on consent and (wherever appropriate) active participation of all local stakeholders. This forest management system will operate within the new Cameroon Forest Law promulgated in late 1994.

This project is part of a large programme of activities planned to take place at Mount Kupe and will complement other activities, focussing on biological research and monitoring, to be managed by WWF as part of the World Bank/GEF funded Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring Project in Cameroon.

Project Objectives:
To maintain forest extent, viability of ecological processes and populations of key species on Mount Kupe.

To enhance the quality of life of forest adjacent communities at Mount Kupe in ways which contribute to sustainable forest conservation.

Intended Outputs:
Sufficient and properly trained staff to carry out project activities.

Information on forest use and local needs available to project/MINEF.

Information on forest law and opportunities, and project objectives available to local stakeholders.

Information on private land claims available for planning purposes and conflict resolution.

Boundary fully agreed with all stakeholders and marked.

Methodology for establishing PFM at Mount Kupe progressed and documented.

Agreed management system in place.

Forest of increased value to forest adjacent communities.

Traditional leaders and administration officers informed on project activities and objectives, and project informed on their views.

Specific areas of experience shared with other projects in Cameroon.

Project offices in Nyassoso and on east side of mountain built/renovated and fully equipped.

Vehicles available.

Children, adults and external elites informed on value of forest locally and internationally, nature of changing environment, project objectives and forest law.

Data available on total forest cover.

Sufficient and timely monitoring and evaluation information available to inform project planning and adequately inform donors.