To boost biodiversity conservation, livelihood: WWF country boss drums investment in new territorial project.

This was during a donor engagement meeting where the territorial project concept note was presented to the donors. 

It was also an occasion to engage partners on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Cameroon.

Ononino said the project is aimed at preserving the ecosystem and improving the livelihood of the rural population.

The meeting brought together WWF Cameroon officials, the representatives of the French Development Agency, AFD, the European Union, EU, and the German Corporation for International Cooperation, GIZ, amongst others.

The territorial project is titled: “Sustainable cocoa and enhancement of ecosystem services for biodiversity conservation and rural development in the Tridom landscape”.

According to the WWF Cameroon, the aim of the project, which will be carried out in Mintom, South Region, is to support community-based biodiversity conservation.

Officials said it also seeks to curb deforestation in the Tridom landscape by increasing the income of indigenous people and local communities.

The concept, it should be recalled, has been developed as part of the implementation of the Biodiversity and Development, BIODEV 2030 project, which is currently in its phase II.

The Coordinator of BIODEV 2030, Ngniado Alphonse, said the territorial project is expected to be executed within a period of five years.

Ngniado added that the budget is estimated at 3, 492, 072 Euros, approximately over two billion FCFA.

The WWF Cameroon official revealed that through the project, forest communities will be aware of and educated about sustainable forest management and communicate to ensure the smooth running of the community forest.

“…It is about surviving. The loss of biodiversity also leads to the loss of humanity. This is because humans in the rural setting have a strong connection to biodiversity,” Ngniado said.

He added that: “It is important that we look at alternatives so that the pressure drops and that the population that benefits from this biodiversity continue to do so and that future generations also continue to benefit as well”.

Enter WWF Cameroon country boss

In his opening address, the country Director of the WWF Cameroon explained that the territorial project was a result of an in-depth analysis and discussions with local stakeholders.

Ononino said the role of biodiversity in rural life cannot be over emphasized. According to him, biodiversity is the lifeblood of rural life. He added that biodiversity supports the agricultural sector, guarantees food security and plays a fundamental role in the fight against climate change.

Despite its fundamental role, Ononino bemoaned the fact that biodiversity is under serious threats from agricultural practices like deforestation and exploitation.

He said the loss of biodiversity is not just an environmental crisis but also a development crisis leading to poverty, and compromising sustainable development goals.

The WWF boss noted that, the concept note made public is integrated approach that places local communities at the centre of the solution.

“…It aims to conserve biodiversity and encourage local economic development through the promotion of agricultural practices, the valorisation of forest products, and capacity building programs,” Ononino said.

He appealed to donors to “invest in this initiative”. He further stated that, investing in the territorial project will contribute not only to the preservation of the ecosystem but the improvement of rural livelihood and a sustainable future.

“Our ambition is clear; to transform biodiversity conservation into a driver of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development. To achieve this, strong partnerships and strategic support are essential,” the WWF Cameroon country boss added.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation of BIODEV 2030 and the strides recorded during the first and second phase which is heading towards completion.

It should be recalled that the BIODEV 2030 initiative was launched in 2020 in 16 pilot countries amongst them Cameroon. The first phase of the project ran from 2019-2022 while the second phase, it was revealed, took place from 2023-2025. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3678 of Monday January 19, 2026