Integrating biodiversity conservation into environmental impact assessments : the case of the Campo Ma’an National Park, Cameroon

Cameroon’s forests are rich in endemic plant and animal species but remain among the most threatened ecosystems in Central Africa. To safeguard its forest heritage, the government resorted to the establishment of protected areas and relied on laws and other regulatory instruments to protect them. However, the integrity of protected areas such as the Campo Ma’an National Park is increasingly compromised by growing pressure to exploit natural resources nearby the park. Large-scale infrastructure projects like the Camvert agro-industrial project, the Kribi deep seaport, the Memve’ele hydropower dam including forests and mining concessions have intensified habitat loss thus accelerating biodiversity decline around the park. These projects have generated cumulative impacts on wildlife resources including rising poaching, illegal trade in endangered species, loss of indigenous farmlands, and increased risks of zoonotic diseases in surrounding communities. Amid these pressures, concerns have emerged regarding the effectiveness of conservation laws to preserve the park’s ecological integrity. Balancing biodiversity conservation with economic development in the park’s buffer zones remains a major governance challenge. This dissertation evaluates the implementation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in addressing conservation concerns linked to the Camvert agro industrial project and its effects on the Campo Ma’an National Park and adjacent communities. Legal analytical methods including mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed for data collection, supported by field observations and semi-structured interviews. The research findings reveal that, development initiatives nearby the park including settlement expansion significantly contribute to forest degradation and biodiversity loss. Specifically, the Camvert project was implemented largely without the free, prior, and informed consent of local and indigenous communities as required by Article 20(1) of the 2013 EIA law in Cameroon. The study further indicates shortcomings in the government’s compliance with international environmental obligations. Nonetheless, conservation actors including WWF and the African Wildlife Foundation have strengthened anti-poaching efforts and supported community livelihood initiatives. The research concludes that integrating indigenous rights, local knowledge systems and participatory land-use planning into EIA processes is essential for sustainable biodiversity conservation. Strengthening alternative livelihoods, ecotourism, and environmental education will enhance protection of the Campo Ma’an National Park while supporting inclusive development and poverty reduction in Cameroon.