Restoring biodiversity and livelihoods through Analog Forestry in underserved communities in Western Cameroon Montane Forests – Case of Kov Ndzeen and Roo Bui Forests.
By Perry Ndzefemmegho, CENDEP
Green Care: restoring ecosystems, livelihoods and food sovereignty
Cameroon’s North West Region, especially Bui Division and Kumbo, faces the combined pressure of climate change, biodiversity loss, conflict, and economic hardship. Forests have shrunk dramatically: Cameroon loses around 200,000 ha of forest every year, and Bui Division has already lost more than 70% of its cover. Irregular rainfall, bushfires, and degraded soils have pushed many people towards harmful practices like overgrazing, bush burning, and heavy agrochemical use. With weak markets, unclear land tenure, and minimal institutional support, communities are increasingly vulnerable.
With support from the IAFN Restore Fund, Green Care introduced Analog Forestry (AF) as a regenerative solution to over 200 farmers. This holistic restoration methodology mimics natural forest structures that enhance biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and socio-economic resilience. Introduced in Cameroon in 2008 by CENDEP (Center for Nursery Development and Eru Propagation), AF has gained traction across communities in Cameroon, especially in community-led conservation initiatives.
Green Care’s intervention focused on establishing tree nurseries and out-planting over 7,000 trees across 10 hectares of degraded forest. The species selected (bee-friendly, fruit-bearing, fodder and medicinal) were chosen based on ecological and cultural relevance. Notably, native species such as Prunus africana, Red Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis), and Albizia lebbeck were prioritized for their medicinal and economic value.
The reintroduction of pollinator-friendly plants has also boosted local bee populations, enhancing crop yields and biodiversity. Analog Forestry has had a profound impact on community health and wellbeing. The preservation and propagation of medicinal plants such as Prunus africana, Moringa oleifera, and Aloe vera have revitalized traditional medicine practices. Community members now recognize the health benefits of forest conservation, leading to behavioral shifts such as reduced tree felling and increased herbal remedy usage.
Access to natural spaces has improved mental wellbeing, especially among women and youth. According to a 2024 survey by Green Care, 68% of participants reported improved physical and emotional health due to their involvement in AF activities. Local regulations, however, remain ambiguous regarding the use of public lands for medicinal plant cultivation. Advocacy efforts are underway to formalize community rights to forest resources.
The initiative also strengthened social cohesion. Women and marginalized groups, including Fulani pastoralists, now play leading roles. Moreover, 60% of AF participants in the Kov Ndzeen project are women, many of whom now serve on the forest management committee. A forest committee comprising local chiefs, sub-chiefs, and community representatives meets twice a month to plan, manage, and resolve conflicts. Live fencing with fodder trees has reduced farmer-grazer disputes by 45%.
Cameroon’s food sovereignty is threatened by reliance on imported staples and monoculture farming. In Bui Division, local farmers face challenges such as poor seed quality, lack of storage facilities, and limited market access. AF has enabled the cultivation of diverse crops including cassava, passion fruit, aerial yams, and Physalis peruviana. These crops are not only nutritious but also culturally significant. Farmers have adopted agroecological practices that reduce dependence on chemical inputs and enhance soil fertility.
Green Care distributed cassava cuttings and trained farmers in processing techniques, resulting in a 30% increase in household food security. The integration of fruit trees and medicinal plants into farming systems has diversified diets and income sources.
Analog Forestry has opened new economic avenues for rural communities, thus strengthening their economic sustainability. Bee farming, introduced as part of the project, has become a viable income-generating activity. Farmers received top-bar hives made from local materials and training in honey production and marketing.
A 2023 impact assessment revealed that 22.2% of farmers increased their income through the sale of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as honey, medicinal herbs, and fruits. Additionally, pasture development using Bracharia seeds has improved livestock health and productivity. Despite these gains, national policies on forest product commercialization remain restrictive. Green Care is advocating for regulatory reforms to support sustainable value chains and community-based enterprises. Green Care is working with government agencies, councils, and traditional leaders to embed AF in community forest plans and national priorities. Relevant policy instruments include the National Reforestation Plan (2020–2030), the 1994 and 2024 Forest and Wildlife Laws, and ongoing land tenure reforms. Monthly forums now give communities, youth, and local leaders a space to influence policymaking.
To scale impact, Green Care calls on:
- Government agencies to provide technical and financial support
- NGOs to replicate AF models in other regions
- Donors to invest in long-term ecosystem restoration
- Researchers to document and disseminate best practices
Nature Care: Restoring Cameroon’s Montane Forests in the Bamenda Highlands
In North-West Cameroon, CENDEP works with seven communities to restore ecosystems through sensitization, nursery management, seed collection, environmental education, income-generating activities, and invasive species removal. Through activities that have reached around 21,000 people, 31 hectares have been restored using Analog Forestry.
The Bamenda Highlands, home to over two million people, face severe environmental degradation, declining agricultural yields, and limited livelihood options. Rural areas also struggle with poor infrastructure, weak market access, and scarce financial services, all of which reinforce poverty and vulnerability.
Through CENDEP and Nature Care’s intervention–promoting sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient practices, better water management, improved market access, and financial support systems–farmers are already reducing agrochemical use, improving soil health, protecting biodiversity, and building more resilient production systems. While yields dropped at first, long-term gains in soil fertility, ecosystem health, and food quality are now visible.
Policy alignment is essential. Cameroon’s legal framework (EUDR-aligned export rules, the 2024 Forest Law, and constitutional rights to a healthy environment) creates new opportunities for analog forestry. These policies encourage deforestation-free production, clarify land-use zones, strengthen community participation (FPIC), and support sustainable forest management and certification initiatives.
Analog Forestry fits with national strategies such as Vision 2035 and the SND 2020-2030, which emphasize climate resilience, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. Through IAFN’s Restore Fund, Nature Care Cameroon has restored 0.7 ha with 58 women from 18 families, using native species that support food security, income generation, medicinal needs, and carbon sequestration in the Roo Bui Forest area in Kumbo.
However, challenges such as competing land-use priorities, policy gaps, unclear tenure, and inconsistent governance persist. Integrating Analog Forestry requires strong institutions, supportive policies, and meaningful engagement of local communities, traditional authorities, and government agencies. Nature Care is addressing this by building relationships, conducting research, and engaging policymakers. They raise awareness through education and public outreach, form coalitions, and propose practical policy recommendations.
Youth participation remains limited due to barriers such as low access to education, insecure land tenure, lack of income, and minimal policy awareness. Yet with targeted capacity building, green business models, improved land rights, and stronger public–private partnerships, young people can become key actors in restoration and policy change.
As climate change continues to threaten vulnerable regions, Analog Forestry offers a replicable and scalable solution. It is not merely a conservation tool but a pathway to justice, resilience, and sustainability.
