Helveta (UK) Ltd’s CI Earth program is to be used by indigenous peoples in Cameroon to help them map and log forest resources.
It is hoped that the use of the technology in the area will allow local communities to monitor logging activities and have a larger role in the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade process. The technology is already being successfully used in the Congo Basin.
Stakeholders in the project, which include the British High Commission, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Cameroon Forestry Ministry, will also use the data collected to avert conflict between logging operations and communities.
“Local communities in Cameroon depend on the country’s forests for their livelihoods and are badly affected by illegal logging,” said Syd Maddicott, the British high commissioner to Cameroon.
“This project offers a communication process to local communities to ensure their needs are taken into account. This is essential if sustainable forest management is to be achieved.”
The technology will be delivered to local communities through rugged icon-driven touch screen units, which use an icon-based interface to enable non-literate people to operate with the software.
