National parks in Cameroon and the in-situ conservation of threatened flora and fauna species: governance and policy paradigms

Cameroon boasts a diverse array of 22 established National Parks and an additional five proposed ones, spread across its five agroecological zones. The effective management of these parks faces substantial challenges, including governance and policy challenges as well as resistance to international conservation norms. Paradoxically, biodiversity decline has accompanied national park growth, underscoring management complexities. The main objective of this study was to examine the contribution of national parks to the in-situ conservation of threatened flora and fauna species in Cameroon with a focus on the policy and governance paradigms. Based on the findings, the flora of Cameroon's national parks, documented extensively by various studies, highlights significant species diversity and endemism. In terms of fauna, Cameroon's parks harbor diverse threatened species, including ichthyofauna in the Douala-Edea National Park with different endemic fish species vulnerable to habitat alterations. Governance and policy frameworks crucially impact conservation outcomes. Studies emphasize the need for robust governance practices to enhance community participation and address governance gaps, as evidenced in the Mount Cameroon National Park. Policy and governance instruments like Cameroon's 1994 Forestry law (updated with the 2024 Forestry Law), 1996 environmental management law as well as Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (NDS30) aim to sustainably manage forests and protect biodiversity, integrating environmental impact assessments (EIAs) to mitigate development impacts. Cameroon's National Parks play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, yet face ongoing challenges that necessitate strengthened governance and policy coherence to ensure sustainable management amidst global conservation imperatives.