Issues and Challenges in Forest Exploitation, Sustainable management and Conservation in Bokwaongo (Cameroon) Since 1980

The forest plays a primordial role for human survival. Peoples in different communities depend on it for livelihood and sustainability. Exploitation in most rural communities has given birth to questions of sustainability. This paper takes a specific local approach and looks at the exploitation and conservation of the forest by the people of Bokwaongo from 1980 to present (2022). It argues that the inhabitants of Bokwaongo have for centuries depended exclusively on the forest and with the high rate of exploitation in recent decades, have adopted varying measures to ensure its sustainability. The study made use of both primary and secondary sources with findings revealing that the persistent illegal exploitation and over exploitation of both timber and non – timber forest resources by the people pushed the village council to enact and implement rules to guarantee sustainable forest exploitation and conservation among the Bokwaongo people. It concludes that such measures if carefully observed will go a long way to ensure forest sustainability.
Keywords: Conservation, Exploitation, Forest, timber, herbs, livelihood