Cameroon

TRI’s project in Cameroon is working to support the implementation and scaling-up of FLR in Cameroon to facilitate biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, climate resilience and improved community livelihoods. An innovative focus of the project is on piloting and assessing the role that bamboo can play in supporting restoration efforts in Cameroon. Bamboo is indigenous to Cameroon and possesses qualities that potentially make it suitable for restoration of degraded lands in certain areas. Those qualities include an ability to grow on degraded soils and steep slopes where many plants cannot, and an extensive and fibrous root system that helps to stabilize loose soil and prevent erosion. In addition, bamboo is a fast-growing species that can be further utilized as a building material, food, or fuel source. The substitution of bamboo for fuelwood extracted from natural forest can help reduce pressures on natural resources and threatened biodiversity. Moreover, through value chain enhancements, bamboo can provide an important revenue source for communities.