Mayo-Banyo Division: Growing pressure on communal forest threatening certain species.

The forest is a haven of biodiversity hosting a range of flora and fauna adapted to high-altitude transitional ecosystems.

But, the alarming degradation of the forest is already causing a gradual disappearance of certain plant species, thus having a direct impact on the food supply and traditional medicine of the local communities.

According to Global Forest Watch, GFW, a platform created by World Resource Institute, WRI, to monitor the world forest cover in real-time, there is a silent erosion which is sweeping away plant species vital to traditional medicine and the local diet.

The GFW reveals that as of 2020, Mayo-Banyo had 570kha of natural forest, extending over 67% of its land area and by 2025, it lost 2.6kha of natural forest, equivalent to 1.2 Mt of carbon dioxide emissions.

A deeper introspection shows an even bleaker picture. From 2001 to 2025, Mayo-Banyo lost 5.3kha of humid primary forest, making up 17% of its total tree cover loss in the same time period. Similarly, the area lost 32kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 9.0% of the 2000 tree cover area over the same period.

These figures demonstrate the growing trend of not just Mayo-Banyo but across the Adamawa Region. Several decades ago, the forest served as storeroom and pharmacy for thousands of families of the surrounding communities. 

In the markets of Bankim or Mayo-Darlé, the stalls selling medicinal plants are gradually running out of certain species that were once common. Vitellaria paradoxa commonly called Shea, essential for its butter with healing and nutritional properties, is becoming scarcer. The tamarindus indica or tamarind tree, known locally as ‘diabi’, and whose fruits help in treating stomach aches and enrich local sauces, is bearing the brunt of pressure from forest depletion. 

The same can be said for other notable flagship species like Mondia whitei (locally known as ‘Gai Gai’ or "la racine sucrée") or Pycnanthus angolensis (African nutmeg), and Albizia species.

Some of these species are highly sought after for traditional medicine.

Malam Bouba, a traditional healer, speaking in his local Fulfulde dialect, explains the difficulties tracing some of the plant species for traditional healing. 

“Before, we only had to walk a few minutes behind the compound to find Bomehi to treat children’s fevers,” he said. 

“Today, we have to venture deep into the bush, and sometimes we come back empty-handed. The forest is our pharmacy, but it is being depleted. What are we going to do?” the herbalist said, looking bewildered.

Threats to forest conservation

Logging and shifting cultivation have been identified amongst the temporary disturbances drivers of deforestation in the area. Data from GFW show that between 2001 to 2025, logging accounted for seven hectares, while shifting cultivation five kilohectares and other natural disturbances accounted for 190 hectares in Mayo-Banyo.

In addition, permanent agriculture practices led to 26 kilohectares of deforested land, while settlements and infrastructure triggered for 130 hectares 

A resident of Mayo-Darle, Maimouna, said: “I remember when I was a child, the forest was dense, and we could find everything there. Today, it’s different. But with the new plantations, we hope that our children will also experience the richness of our land”.

Meanwhile, agricultural practice, expanding livestock grazing paths from local herders and the overexploitation of non-timber forest products like the intensive harvesting of wild Mondia whitei roots are also said to pose threats to Banyo's communal forest biodiversity.

Community resilience 

The impact of the forest depletion remains manifold. From health crisis for those without access to modern medicine to increased food insecurity due to the disappearance of wild fruits. Faced with this reality, resilience is being built around the restoration of integrated projects in Mayo-Banyo. 

Local communities, authorities and NGOs are joining forces to reverse the trend through reforestation, promotion of green industries and local innovations.

Local organisation, Graine de Vie, in partnership with the municipalities of Banyo, Mayo-Darlé and Bankim, has been rolling out an ambitious programme since 2023 aimed at reconciling biodiversity protection with economic development.

The Head of Technical Service of Banyo Council, Tsafack Christophe, agrees that deforestation is a scourge that directly affects communities and they are working to reverse the phenomenon. 

“We are working hand in hand with NGOs and communities to implement sustainable solutions, particularly through awareness-raising and reforestation. Fortunately, the quarters and village committees are cooperative,” he said. 

“The project is based on the creation of local nurseries where forest and fruit tree species suited to the Adamawa climate are grown. The aim is not merely to plant trees, but to reintroduce species that offer high added value to local communities. Direct seeding and Assisted Natural Regeneration, ANR, are prioritised to restore degraded landscapes,” Tsafack further explained.

These observations are shared by Aissatou Koubra, Mayo-Banyo Divisional Delegate for the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, whose role is to ensure the enforcement of environmental laws and to support all initiatives aimed at preserving the natural heritage. 

“Collaboration with local stakeholders is essential for effective and sustainable management. The solution also lies in the economy,” the delegate said. 

According to her, the ANR project seeks to restructure the honey and shea butter subsectors.

The Divisional Delegate affirmed that the project enables communities, and particularly women’s associations, to generate income whilst preserving the forest. 

“In Bankim, innovation also takes the form of eco-friendly paving stones made from recycled plastic waste, thereby reducing soil pollution. At the same time, land-use planning helps to reduce agro-pastoral conflicts, one of the major causes of land degradation,” she explained.       

Reforestation efforts around the village of Somié, aimed at protecting the habitat of great apes whilst improving the livelihoods of local residents, demonstrate that conservation can be a driver of resilience. 

In spite of efforts made, stakeholders are stating that there is still a long way to go, but the saplings currently sprouting in Banyo and other surrounding areas hold the promise of a revitalised natural pharmacy and a preserved local food supply for future generations.

*This report was produced in collaboration with Doris Mbarbe of Banyo FM as part of the Afri’kibaaru 2 project

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3805 of Tuesday June 02, 2026