Perception of Local Populations of Bouba-Ndjidda National Park on Indigenous Knowledge and the Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity Conservation
- 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon
- 2 Garoua Wildlife School, Garoua, Cameroon
- 3 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon
- 4 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon
- 5 Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, College of Technology, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon
- 6 Garoua Wildlife School, Garoua, Cameroon
- 7 Regional Post-Graduate Training School on Integrated Management of Tropical Forests and Lands, Kinshasa, Democratic Repub-lic of the Congo
- 8 Regional Post-Graduate Training School on Integrated Management of Tropical Forests and Lands, Kinshasa, Democratic Repub-lic of the Congo
- 9 Garoua Wildlife School, Garoua, Cameroon
- 10 Garoua Wildlife School, Garoua, Cameroon
- 11 Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- 12 Regional Post-Graduate Training School on Integrated Management of Tropical Forests and Lands, Kinshasa, Democratic Repub-lic of the Congo
- 13 Regional Post-Graduate Training School on Integrated Management of Tropical Forests and Lands, Kinshasa, Democratic Repub-lic of the Congo
Abstract
This study deals with the perceptions of indigenous knowledge in the field of conservation and the impact of climate change on biodiversity in the peripheral villages of the Bouba-Ndjidda National Park (PNBN), Department of Mayo-Rey, Cameroon. To this end, 23 out of 70 villages in the study area were selected, for a sample of 368 households surveyed through a questionnaire addressed to the heads of households. Data collection took place from August 27 to December 22, 2022. The results reveal that 70.7% of the population living near the PNBN practice agriculture as their main income-generating activity, followed by livestock (23.3%) and trade (6%). Knowledge in the field of the conservation of natural resources is rooted in occultism through rituals and sacrifices (99.50%) offered to the geniuses of nature and prohibitions on the felling of trees and sacred animals (13.00%). The populations perceive climate change through the variation of the seasons (97.60%), the increase in temperature (84.80%), the reduction in the duration of the rainy seasons (54.60%), the drop in agricultural yield (84.80%) and floods (74.70%). The consequence of these changes on wildlife is the disappearance of animal species such as the Rhinoceros, the Wild Dog, the Cheetah and the Ostrich. In order to cope with climate change, the natives have developed strategies such as the adoption of early crop varieties (maize, millet, soybeans, etc.), the reorganization of the agricultural calendar, the practice of reforestation, extension of field surfaces, the cessation of excessive deforestation and uncontrolled bush fires, the construction of fired brick houses, the practice of irrigation, seasonal migration and occultism. This indigenous knowledge is a perfect adaptation to climate change and makes it possible to better take into account the vision of local populations in the conservation of biodiversity.
- Mendelsohn, R. (2009) The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture in Developing Countries. Journal of Natural Resources Policy Research, 1, 5-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390450802495882
- Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Protection de la Nature et du Développement Durable (MINEPDED) (2012) Strategie Nationale de Developpement Durable. 225 p https://minepded.gov.cm/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Rapport-Final-sur-la-Stratégie-Nationale-de-Développement-Durable.pdf
- Son, H.N., Chi, D.T.L. and Kingsbury, A. (2019) Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Change Adaptation of Ethnic Minorities in the Mountainous Regions of Vietnam: A Case Study of the Yao People in Bac Kan Province. Agricultural Systems, 176, Article ID: 102683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2019.102683
- Rasmus, S.M., Nancy, R.W., Alicia, M. and James, A. (2020) An Intervention Science to Advance Underrepresented Perspectives and Indigenous Self-Determination in Healh. National library of medicine, 21, 83-92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-019-01025-1
- Bergonzini, J.C. (2004) Changements Climatiques, Désertification, Diversité Biologique et Forêts. Climate Changes, Desertification, Biological Diversity and Forests. SILVA, Nogent-sur-Marne, 160 p.
- Fonds International de Développement Agricole (FIDA) (2008) Le FIDA et le changement climatique. Consultation sur la huitième reconstitution des ressources du FIDA. FIDA-IFAD, Rome, 27 p.
- Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Protection de la Nature et du Développement Durable (MINEPDED) (2015) Plan national d’adaptation au changement climatique du Cameroun. 30-38. https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/NAPC/Documents/Parties/PNACC_Cameroun_VF_Validée_24062015%20-%20FINAL.pdf
- Ministère des Forêts et de la Faune (MINFOF) (2020) Plan d’Aménagement du Parc National de Bouba-Ndjidda et de sa zone périphérique. 1-140.
- Chimi, P.M., Mala, W.A., Fobane, J.L., Manga, E.F., Mbom, II J.A., Forbi, F.P. and Bell, J.M. (2022) Climate Change Perception and Local Adaptation of Natural Resource Management in a Farming Community of Cameroon: A Case Study. Environmental Challenges, 8, Article ID: 100539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100539
- Ministère des Forêts et de la Faune (MINFOF) (2010) Plan d’Aménagement du Parc National de Bouba-Ndjidda et de sa zone périphérique. 26 p.
- Garine, E., Langlois, O. and Raimond, C. (2002) Le territoire est-il bien un patrimoine? Etude comparative de deux sociétés de la Haute-Bénoué (Dii et Duupa, Nord-Cameroun). In: Cormier-Salem, M.-C., Juhé-Beaulaton, D., Boutrais, J., Roussel, B., eds., Patrimoines naturels au Sud: territoires, identités et stratégies locales, IRD éditions, Paris, 197p.