The Korup ProjectThe Korup Project: A study : A study of sustainable development of sustainable development of a high biodiversity regionof a high biodiversity region

1.1. To understand the physical To understand the physical environment of the Korup environment of the Korup regionregion

2.2. To examine the objectives and To examine the objectives and management plans for the management plans for the Korup projectKorup project

3.3. To evaluate the success of the To evaluate the success of the Korup project and identify areas Korup project and identify areas for future considerationfor future consideration

Korup National Park occupies 1259 km² in the southwest corner of Cameroon

Annual rainfall of the area averages 5500 mm in the south, decreasing northwards, with a distinct dry season from November-March

About a third of the park is hilly and greater than 360 m above sea level

The Decision Makers…The Decision Makers… The Korup region was designated a National Park The Korup region was designated a National Park

in 1986in 1986 The Cameroon government accredited it with this The Cameroon government accredited it with this

status however;status however; It was the World Bank, IUCN (International Union It was the World Bank, IUCN (International Union

for the Conservation of Nature) and WWF who for the Conservation of Nature) and WWF who identified Korup as a mega-diversity site.identified Korup as a mega-diversity site.

It was later (1987) given It was later (1987) given Biosphere reserve Biosphere reserve status status by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation)Scientific and Cultural Organisation)

It is currently nominated for World Heritage Site It is currently nominated for World Heritage Site Status on a Status on a tentative listtentative list

The EU gave a bilateral loan to aid the The EU gave a bilateral loan to aid the development of the rural development plan.development of the rural development plan.

Man and the Biosphere (MAB)Man and the Biosphere (MAB) UNESCO’s biosphere reserves and environmental heritage UNESCO’s biosphere reserves and environmental heritage

sites all come under the same principle; that development sites all come under the same principle; that development should proceed with a perfect balance between humans should proceed with a perfect balance between humans and nature.and nature.

MAB’s framework for Integrated Conservation and MAB’s framework for Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDP):Development Projects (ICDP):

Protected Area

ICDP

Biologicalconservation

Human development

Local Communities

This park is known for the fact that it contains the largest number of species of trees in any

rainforest in Africa. It is also home to many plant

species, only found in this region of the world,

for example Ancistrocladaceae, a

potential cure for AIDS!

Korup is a dense lowland forest, to the south,

soils are acidic and poor in nutrients, in the west

soils are coarse and gritty and inaccessible,

to the east, volcanic soils provide the

necessary nutrients for important cash crops

such as coffee and cocoa.

Korup is the single richest lowland rainforest site in Africa for:

Birds - 400 species

Reptiles – 84 species

Amphibians – 96 species

Butterflies - 1,000 species

Fish - 130 species

Mammals – 160

Many of these mammals are endangered and some found nowhere else on earth.

Examples: chimpanzee, drill, red colobus monkey.

In the hot, moist conditions bacteria, insects, fungi and other decomposers soon break down dead matter, releasing the nutrients which are quickly taken up by the shallow plant roots

Indigenous people in the park and its buffer zone rely on the park’s wild game (bushmeat). While some of the meat is consumed locally as a source of protein, most of it is sold for cash. Hunting is the most important economic activity in the area, generating about half of a village’s total cash income. The next most important economic activity in the area is collection of fruit and nuts both for consumption and for selling.

Following the 1986 establishment of the Park, hunting in it was declared illegal.

The local residents were offered no adequate alternative means for income generation.

Conservation efforts were being undermined because local needs were not being addressed adequately by project designers

Of the 6 villages within the Park, only one so far has been relocated.

Between May and August, undeveloped roads become muddy paths and places such as Korup are virtually inaccessible. There is no circular route for tourists to visit the National Park, so the road from Mundemba is used for both legs of the trip.

Ecotourism has the potential to contribute to the local and national economy through foreign exchange, business and employment opportunities. There are a variety of rules that are currently in place in Korup National Park:•Tourists cannot experience the park on foot•Tourist numbers are limited•Tourist accommodation is made out of local materials•Tourist facilities are not luxurious and unsustainable In Cameroon’s economic development plan, tourism occupies the fifth position in a ten-point program.

Ecotourism should:

promote positive environmental ethics (teach and encourage appropriate behaviour);

concentrate on the intrinsic values of the specific ecosystem rather than on facilities and services

involve a direct experience with nature;

be supported by high-quality preparation on the part of both providers and participants

not degrade or exploit the natural environment either directly or indirectly; and

contribute to the management and protection of the natural environment.