Cameroon-based biodiversity conservation and sustainable development non-profit Organization, Voice of Nature (VoNat), has kick-started a project that will culminate in the identification and publication of different biodiversity species and conservation threats in the Tiko Mangrove Estuary with some 30 kids and young adults from adjacent communities. The project was unveiled July 7, 2023 during the Edu-kids Holiday Programme at the Multi-Purpose Youth Empowerment Centre in Tiko, South West Region of Cameroon. It aims to enlighten kids and communities in Tiko about the ecology and ecological importance of the mangrove ecosystem, while inspiring them to take conservation actions.
Over 30 community kids, 5 young adults, 4 community leaders and 3 members of the project implementation team were part of the project launch. The VoNat project team raised awareness about the project to the admiration of the youngsters and community leaders. In an experiential education session about the Tiko mangrove and conservation importance, the Biodiversity Conservation Programme Assistant of VoNat, Gansey Sean, highlighted the implications of wanton depletion of the mangrove, underscoring the need for the youngsters and their communities to join conservation and restoration actions.
“I have never known the important role mangroves have on the environment and our wellbeing, apart from the fact that we use it for construction, fuel wood and also sell to make some money,” said David Tabang, denizen of one of the adjacent communities to the Tiko Mangrove. He promised to educate his peers on the negative effects of indiscriminate harvesting of the mangroves. Ashu Regina also promised to share the knowledge gained with brothers and sisters at home.
Plans are underway to extend this sensitization and education session to more community leaders and children in Tiko and to engage the youngsters in collecting vital data about the biodiversity of the Tiko mangrove. The project is being implemented within the framework of VoNat’s Wetlands & Mangrove Restoration Initiative, which seeks to engage kids, young adults and their communities in restoring degraded areas, wetlands & mangrove and their ecological functions in Cameroon, beginning with the Tiko mangrove estuary. British Ecological Society is providing funds for the project.