Description
TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM AND RESOURCE DEGRADATION NEXUS: INSIGHTS FROM NGOKETUNJIA, NORTH WEST REGION, CAMEROON
NUGAH Alvina NYALUM (PhD Student) Department of Geography and Planning, the University of Bamenda.
The traditional ecological Knowledge (TEK) of the Mbororo pastoralists is the cornerstone guiding resource management, adapting to environmental aspects especially rainfall variability in Ngoketunjia Division. This study seeks to explore the nexus between traditional ecological knowledge system and resource degradation, agro-pastoral conflicts. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to collect primary and secondary data. The observable impacts of the use of traditional ecological knowledge to manage resources have been pasture and landscape degradation, water pollution and agro-pastoral conflicts. The agro-pastoral code has not been able to remedy the situation given that. The Mbororo pastoralists in Ngoketunjia Division maintain an inextricable link to culture and traditional ecological knowledge system that shape how they manage resources. Pastoralists continue to engage in un-sustainable practices such as bush burning (90%) to regenerate pasture for cattle in the dry season, the cattle carrying capacity of the area is often exceeded especially in the dry season. State institutions have organized a series of workshops geared towards resources sustainability. Despite all, pastoralists (95%) do not turn up in meetings aimed at integrating traditional ecological knowledge systems into adaptation plans. These have led to resource degradation in Ngoketunjia Division. We argue that understanding traditional ecological knowledge systems in tandem with resource degradation is crucial for the sustainable management of resources in a mixed-farming zone as Ngoketunjia Division.Keywords: Traditional ecological knowledge systems, resource degradation, Mbororo pastoralists, Ngoketunjia Division, North West Region, Cameroon.
| Topic | Topic 1: : Methods for integrating social and ecological knowledge |
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