Environment: Challenges Still Abound

Biodiversity destruction, soil degradation, pollution and climate change slow down efforts to protect the environment.

“From 1992 to this day, efforts have been made at the international and national levels. But problems still persist. Instead of continuing with the same policies and methods that led to these unsatisfactory results, we have to innovate and this forum will enable us rethink the future.” This statement that was made by the Minister of the Environment and Nature Protection (MINEP), Hele Pierre, yesterday October 24 in Yaounde at the opening of the first ever Forum on the General State of the Environment in Cameroon, throws light on the need to face challenges that still persist in environmental protection.

According to the Inspector General in the Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection, Valentin Wagnoun, the main challenges are biodiversity destruction, soil degradation, pollution and climate change. Man’s activities for survival, he said, are having untold negative effects on his natural environment. Deforestation, poaching, uncontrolled urbanisation and use of fossil fuels amongst others, have resulted in the irreversible destruction of biodiversity with some plants and animals becoming extinct.

Moreso, some agricultural practices that include slash and burn as well as the abusive use of fertilisers and pesticides, are speeding up the rate of soil degradation. Waste from industries, households and human activities account for untold degrees of land, air and water pollution whose nefarious effects on human health and survival of other species are now more perceptible than ever. “Another challenge is climate change that is causing variation of climates, irregularity and scarcity of rainfall and unbearably high temperatures,” Valentin Wagnoun told Cameroon Tribune.

These challenges featured high on Minister Hele Pierre’s list of themes to be deliberated upon during the five-day forum. According to the Minister, by deciding to organise the first ever Forum on the General State of the Environment, his ministry wanted to give a new breath to environmental policy. He acknowledged the urgency to take action while recognising the stake at hand which consists of the need to seek means to conciliate environmental protection and development although, as he puts it, development requires the use of natural resources.

By George MBELLA, Cameroon Tribune du 24 Octobre 2011