Abstract: Most initiatives of wildlife conservation in Africa are geared towards the objective of integrating the riverine communities in the centre of management. In the case of Cameroon, the wildlife law does not recognise indigenous knowledge in conservation matters of wildlife; meanwhile it is very effective in this exercise. This study was initiated to carry out an inventory of indigenous knowledge available within the riverine communities surrounding the Dja Biosphere Reserve (DBR) on conservation matters. The methods of work adopted were the collection of data through questionnaires, focus group discussions and information obtained was synthesised. Data was collected in 47 villages from 4 clusters (North-South-East-West) of the DBR. In each of these clusters, questionnaires were administered to resource persons, giving a total of 120 questionnaires. A total of 16 animal species benefited sustainable management by indigenous means in the zone amongst which are 56% (9 species), 25% and 19% (2 species) which are class A, B and C respectively. About 71% of the indigenous knowledge identified appears to be effective in the sustainable management of wildlife. The indigenous knowledge was grouped into 4 categories (totems, prohibitions, chiefs’ authorisation and dissemination agents). This knowledge that is more or less effective can be capitalised upon and taken into account in the texts in force which regulate hunting in order to reinforce the management of the concerned species amongst which 9 of the 16 species identified within this indigenous knowledge are classes A and 4 are of class B. The wildlife law shall be more efficient with the consideration of indigenous knowledge in the texts in force, in compatibility with the objectives of sustainable management of wildlife for which this study has permitted to identify in the DBR.
Keywords: Wildlife, Conservation, Indigenous knowledge, Sustainable management, Dja Reserve Biosphere, Cameroon.
Title: Indigenous knowledge as a tool for Wildlife Conservation in the Dja Biosphere Reserve, Cameroon
Author: Tabue Mbobda Roger Bruno, Chimi Djomo Cédric, Djanteng Seme Phanuella, Nanfack Arsel d'Estaing , Noiha Noumi Valery , Barnabas Neba Nfornkah, Forbi Preasious Funwi, Kabelong Banoho Louis Paul Roger, Zekeng Jules Christian, Awono Nkoa Jean-Paul, Wabo Puemo Frank, Ngoma Louis Roger, Zapfack Louis
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Research Publish Journals
