The Minister of the Environment recently carried out practical activities along the coast of Kribi as part of activities to mark the Day in the country.
The sea-side resort town of Kribi, Ocean Division of the South Region was the centre of attraction as Cameroon on May 23 joined the rest of the international community, a day after the official day on May 22, to observe World Biodiversity Day with special focus on marine biodiversity. The first stop of the Ministry of the Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, Pierre Hele, was the Residence Jully, Kribi, where he launched commemorative activities before carrying out practical activities along the Kribi coast.
The huge biodiversity and eco-system resources along Cameroon’s marine and coastal eco-systems from Idenau in the South West Region to Campo in the South Region offer tremendous ecological and economic benefits. Marine habitat and resources are valuable sources of food and various economic activities, while oceans in general absorb one third of the world’s carbon emissions. Yet, the ocean and coastal areas are today threatened by various human activities resulting in the depletion of plant species and numbers. However, with the intervention of governments and local communities, there is hope for recovery. Cameroon as a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity will be joining the rest of the World during this celebration, to raise awareness on the value of marine biological resources and eco-system services to livelihood and development and the need for urgent practical action to reduce the threat from human pressures that fragilise the vitality of these ecosystems.
In a speech, Mr Hele Pierre said the destruction of the mangroves is a cause for concern. Disturbing statistics, he said, show that if care is not taken, the country risks losing ecological resources whose importance cannot be over-emphasized. Reports show that Cameroon’s mangroves area dwindled by about 50 per cent, in two decades. The Minister said it moved from 472,500 hectares in 1980 to 250,000 hectares in 2002. Reason why he enjoined all and sundry to work resolutely to salvage the mangroves from extinction.
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
