Presentation for the conference on Taking stock of smallholders and community forestry Montpellier France March 24-26, 2010

1. MINISTERE DES FORÊTS ET DE LA FAUNE MINISTRY OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE RRI Coalition In Cameroon

3. FOREST TENURE SYSTEMS AND INDIGENOUS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY RIGHTS MAPPING IN CAMEROON: WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY FORESTRY? PANEL OBJECTIVES Studies on community rights mapping among local and indigenous peoples in Cameroon Deepen reflection on the modalities of recognition for community customary rights in protected areas, state forests, forest management units, and mining zones

4. Main arguments Unless conservation initiatives include recognition of rights, needs, interests and knowledge of indigenous and local communities, biodiversity cannot succeed; Participatory management and co-management initiatives, which are the centerpiece of the 1994 forestry law, have had only limited impact, both in terms of conservation and in terms of improving the living conditions of local communities;

5. Promoting Participatory Community Rights Mapping A tool for communication and conflict resolution, Provides administrative and political decision-makers with technical support to highlight socio-cultural, political and economic realities related to land and forest tenure and to communities’ claims Provides elements necessary to take into account during forest and land policy reform process.