Sacred forest governance in Cameroon

Some 260 forests in West Cameroon are governed only by traditions, known as sacred forests. They are closely associated with traditional kingdoms and customary rulers and generally have a high cultural and spiritual value.

Deforestation and degradation in Cameroon – especially in the West region– are driven by agriculture and increasing population pressure – presenting an increasing threat to these sacred forests.

These forests have or had high levels of ecological and socio-cultural importance - but some now appear threated and rules no longer respected. African traditional practices used to play a pivotal role in ecosystem conservation – a by-product of conservation for socio-cultural use.

There is a lack of scientific knowledge of the policies and ways to manage sacred forests, particularly if and how they can be also protected under formal governance regimes, such as laws. Currently, sacred forests are not recognised by government, with respect and application of customary governance changing.

This state of play raises questions about WHY, HOW, WHERE and WHICH sacred forests are being deforested or degraded? Why have they lost their ecological and social cultural value? and why don’t the rules governing sacred forests no longer work?
Hence the main research question of this PhD project is: what is the state of governance of sacred forests in West Cameroon? More specifically, the aim is to answer the following questions:
1. What is the state of sacred forests in West Cameroon?
2. What is the quality of governance of sacred forests in West Cameroon?
3. What strategies for sustainable governance of sacred forests in West Cameroon?