Publications

Contribution of Sustainable Land Use, Agriculture and Forestry Practices to Climate Resilience in Bamboutous Mountain Landscape: Case of Santa, Batcham and Babadjou Sub-Division, Bamboutous Division West Region of Cameroon.

ABSTRACT

This study examines sustainable watershed management practices and their impact on local communities in the Bamboutos Mountains of Cameroon, focusing on the Babadjou Sub- Division. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research investigates the effectiveness of watershed management practices, community participation, and water conservation methods. The findings reveal a critical lack of comprehensive watershed management practices across the study area, with alarmingly low adoption rates for key strategies such as riparian buffer zones and reforestation. Community participation in watershed management activities is inconsistent and limited, hindering the effectiveness of conservation efforts. The study also highlights inadequate implementation of soil and water conservation measures, with only a quarter of respondents reporting high levels of implementation. Sustainable agriculture practices show a mix of adoption, but with concerning gaps in comprehensive implementation. Forestry practices indicate insufficient reforestation efforts and inadequate forest preservation. The research also uncovers a troubling trend of decreasing water availability and mixed community resilience to water-related disasters. Cattle grazing practices are predominantly unsustainable, with a high prevalence of continuous grazing leading to environmental degradation. Additionally, the study reveals limited diversification in landscape-based enterprises and significant challenges in marketing landscape products. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to promote sustainable watershed management practices, enhance community participation, and build climate resilience in the face of growing environmental challenges.