Guest Contributor Adrian Odi-Eban of Community-Based Biosynergy Management (CBBM)
Adrian Odi-Eban in the field
Community conservation in Cameroon is often interpreted by international NGOs as the provision of alternative livelihoods to local and indigenous communities to reduce pressure on forests and encourage biodiversity protection, especially around protected areas. This strategy tends to reflect a top-down approach and is tied to the concept of participatory management of protected areas.
Denis Ndeloh of CBBM introduces drone technology to Mpem and Djim National Park staff
According to the 1994 Forest Law and its accompanying Decree of Application, human activities or any form of resource extraction are prohibited within protected areas, except in designated buffer zones. These buffer zones are not fully protected, and certain human activities are allowed under regulated conditions. However, communities often do not understand the distinction, which can lead to conflict due to restrictions they perceive as unclear or unfair.
During my time working for a major international NGO in Cameroon, I initially saw this top-down approach as ideal. The NGO supported one of the country’s national parks and, like many such organizations, funded all park operations, from biomonitoring and anti-poaching patrols to socioeconomic activities in nearby communities. The belief was that offering alternative livelihoods, such as agricultural seeds, livestock and fish farming support, or agroforestry through cocoa seedling distribution, was the best way to protect the park.
CBBM successfully engaged 11 Baka communities in the Baka Monitoring Network.
This approach was considered successful, with reported decreases in illegal activities within the park and fewer incidents of community members harvesting resources there. However, concerns about the sustainability of this model have grown. These activities are heavily donor-dependent and only implement existing park management plans, which are often developed without meaningful community input and may not align with community needs.
In some cases, NGO staff have reportedly used force to remove community members in within protected areas. Hunters and others caught conducting illegal activities have sometimes been beaten and handed over to law enforcement. These actions have led to tension between NGOs and local communities. Another concern arises when international NGOs overstep their roles and assume the responsibilities of park conservators, believing that because they fund park operations, they should also lead decision-making.
One of the communities working to protect their local environment
Through my work with Community-Based Biosynergy Management (CBBM) and Community Conservation (CC), I’ve come to understand that the provision of alternative livelihoods is not the same as community conservation. It is a development strategy, one that helps communities diversify income but does not necessarily enable them to change traditional practices or engage in conservation from a place of ownership or commitment.
CBBM and CC believe that community conservation means communities leading conservation. I’ve learned that it must begin with consultation and consent. Communities need the opportunity to choose to participate in conservation, not be compelled through incentives or restrictions. When communities help define conservation goals and activities, the outcomes are far more sustainable. Alternative livelihoods can certainly be part of the strategy, but only after a shared understanding and agreement on conservation priorities is in place.
Adrian Eban-Odi in his natural habitat hard at work
Adrian Eban-Odi is a forestry and wildlife engineer in Cameroon, currently serving as the field biologist at Community Based Biosynergy Management (CBBM), where he has been working for the past four years. Prior to joining CBBM, Adrian worked with a major international NGO, gaining extensive experience in wildlife monitoring and ecological survey techniques. Through CBBM and Community Conservation Inc (CC), Adrian is committed to promoting community led conservation in Cameroon and Africa, helping local communities take the lead in managing their biodiversity. You can learn more about CBBM’s incredible Somié Chimpanzee Conservation Project here.