Close to 50 kids from the Bamenda 1, 2, and 3 council areas in the North West Region of Cameroon were recently engaged in planting trees for the restoration of watersheds and degraded areas in Bamenda, while fighting against climate change. About 1000 indigenous trees including Pronus africana, callistemon, Voaconga africana, pear (Pyrus communis) and African Plun (Dacryodes edulis) were planted in four watersheds and degraded areas in Akum, Abumuchwi 1 and 2, and Ntamafe 1and 2 in Mendankwe, in collaboration with the North West Regional Delegation of Environment Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED-NW) and the Bamenda 1 Council. This activity was carried out as part of the EcoKids Programme jointly implemented by Voice of Nature (VoNat) and Meg Wah, with funding support from Earth Rising Foundation.
The 2022 EcoKids programme aims to mentor and guide young kids and adults in the Bamenda Highlands and Mount Cameroon Area to take active climate actions in their communities through the restoration of degraded watersheds and landscapes and increased climate advocacy via the mainstream and social media, and open letters. The programme has broaden the understanding of the children about climate change and key response actions such that the youngsters have a perfect understanding on the impact of the tree planting exercise they are carrying out.
“We are planting these trees to stabilize the landscape from landslide, and to provide shelter to other biodiversity species,” said Akweseh Peace, a 10 year-old child from Nitop-Bamenda. Helga Walfa Nyezi from Nkwen noted that “we are planting these trees so they can improve the volume and quality of the water”.
Community members greeted the tree planting exercise with great joy. “Water crises is a very big problem to us here in Mendankwe, especially during the dry season. People have cut all the trees from the forest and around watersheds. The idea of planting trees around watersheds in our community is very nice, and the best solution to increasing the volume of the water. I will be happy if this can be extended to the watershed in Nta’amamfe,”
Plans are underway to effectively engage the Bamenda 1 Council and community members around the four watersheds and degraded areas where the trees have been planted in ensuring the sustainable management of the trees.