Voice of Nature (VoNat) recently collaborated with the South West Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Environment Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED-SW) and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Cameroon to organize a visit to Lake Nacthcigal, Limbe-Cameroon, aimed at enlightening environmental actors and the public about the wetland. This was done on February 3, 2025, within the framework of the 30th International Wetlands Day organized under the theme: “Protecting Wetlands for a Common Future.”
The visit provided an opportunity for environmental actors to engage with the community and explore the unique biodiversity of this wetland and its ecological and cultural importance. This was the first time many persons were discovering the lake.
“Many people don’t know about Lake Nachtigal, which is supposed to be amongst the most famous lakes in the South West Region of Cameroon, given that it is a crater lake that is also accessible. The Lake is a tourist site. So, we want to continue encouraging people to discover it”, said Set Ekwadi, Regional Delegate of MINEPDED-SW.
When Kihkishy Delphine saw the Nacthcigal Lake for the first time, she was both surprised and amused. Having lived in Limbe, for the most parts of her life, just 30 minutes from the lake’s location, she had never heard of it, let alone seen it. It was a spectacle for her when she came in sight with the picturesque ecosystem perched 30 meters above the seashore cliffs, after climbing approximately 207 steps through hills and bushy paths.
“When I first heard of it, I wondered where exactly it was located. Coming here, I was very excited. It was fascinating, especially for me as a conservationist. I am sure many people in Cameroon, even in Limbe, are unaware of this lake,” said Kihkishy Delphine.
Lake Nachtigal is a serene wetland located in Debundscha, Njonji village, in the West Coast Subdivision of the South West Region of Cameroon. With a diameter of about 200–300 meters, the lake is surrounded by dense vegetation, creating a pristine and aesthetically captivating environment.
Beyond its natural beauty, the lake holds immense cultural and historical significance. It sits beside the historic German lighthouse in Debundscha, a town noted to be the 2nd wettest place in Africa and the 6th wettest place in the world. The lake is named after Gustav Nachtigal, the German explorer who facilitated German annexation of Cameroon.
Conservation Role of Indigenous Knowledge
Discussions with community members during the visit highlighted the deep cultural connection the Njonji have with this ecosystem, emphasizing the invaluable role of indigenous knowledge in wetland conservation.
“The water from the lake is a source of blessings. You can keep it in the house, it brings good fortune. As you can see, I immediately washed my face with it when I arrived. Any bad luck will leave me after doing so. It is something we saw our forefathers doing. The lake is a blessing to the land,” said Ekema Joseph, a Njonji indigene.
The Njonji community has also put in place some taboos that forbid fishing and other unsustainable human activities like the killing of animals around the lake, especially snakes. These indigenous conservation efforts were praised by Regional Delegate MINEPED-SW, who emphasized their importance in wetland preservation.
“We cannot conserve without people; we are even conserving for the people. That’s why when people have cultural activities around the lake, it is very important. We know that because of their cultural activities, they will conserve the lake and by so doing, they will protect the environment,” he said.
The integration of traditional knowledge and belief systems is one of the key strategies of Voice of Nature (VoNat) in its species conservation, landscape restoration and climate action strives in Cameroon. The organization is therefore poised to reinforcing this knowledge system amongst different generations to ensure the sustainable management of the emblematic lake Nacthcigal.
By Jabi Katy