09/08/2024
'S E.E PROGRAMME;
TOPIC: THE NEW FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE LAW
STATE FORESTS;
According to CHAPTER III, SECTION 28 of the New Forestry and Wildlife LAW NO 2024/008 OF 24 JULY 2024 which replaces LAW 94/01 OF 20 JANUARY 1994;
State Forests are designated as part of the private property of the State by Decree and includes protected areas such as Water, reserves, plant and wildlife sanctuaries. Therefore, the Kilum-Ijim Plant Life Sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Oku constitute part of the State Forests. The Kilum-Ijim Plant Life Sanctuary is a 1000 hectare protected area created by the Cameroon Government on December 8, 2004 for the sustainable management of some over 40 endemic and endangered plant species. Besides its over 40 plant species, this sanctuary hosts Lake Oku with a depth of 52 metres at an elevation of 2219m above sea level. This sanctuary is home of over 80 endangered and critically endangered amphibian species like Xenopus longipes¬ (Lake Oku Clawed Frog), Phrynobatrachus njiomock, Leptodactylodon axillaris (Egg frog), Phrynobatrachus schioetzi, Wolterstorffina chirioi, Crotaphatrema lamottei (The Mount Oku Caecilian), Astylosternus ranoides etc etc.
EXPLOITATION OF STATE FORESTS;
According to SECTION 61, the extraction of some forest products may be allowed in State forests if they contribute to the improvement of the natural habitat.
The management plan for such protected areas is drawn by the State and is reviewed periodically.
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING STATE FORESTS;
Financial resources are generated from approval fees, scientific capture taxes, entry fees, fees for exploitation of non-timber forest products etc. No one is exempted from the payment of taxes and fees relating to a forestry activity (SECTION 145).
The proceeds of all taxes, fees and charges related to the exploitation of a protected area like Kilum-Ijim Plant Life Sanctuary shall be shared between the Treasury, the ministry in charge of wildlife, the Tax Administration, the Special Fund for Equipment and Development of Wildlife Conservation and Protected Areas, the Regions, the Councils and Local Communities (SECTION 151). The share allocated to local communities shall be transferred to its Municipal Council to finance local development projects.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES RELATING TO STATE FORESTS;
Unauthorized activities are strictly forbidden in protected areas. No compromise or any consideration shall be allowed for any offence committed in a protected area like Kilum-Ijim Plant Life Sanctuary (SECTION 157).
Whoever clears or cut down trees unauthorised, set fire to a state forest or violate wildlife protection provisions in protected areas shall be punished with imprisonment from 3 to 6 months or pay a fine of 500,000FCFA to 1,000,000FCFA, or with both such imprisonment and fine (SECTION 167).
Follow RUDERG to learn more!