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Theme: THE DEGRADATION OF WETLANDS AND ITS SOCIO ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS IN NDOP CENTRAL SUBDIVISION, NORTH WEST PROVINCE CAMEROON

This write up is divided into two parts, a first section which contains the theses proposal and the second which addresses issues linked to wetland degradation and factors accounting for this. The principal objective of this research was ¨evaluating the rate at which wetlands had been degraded from Ndop Central subdivision. and assessing subsequent environmental and socio-economic implications¨. For the purpose of the first section, a principal objective was set forth as follows: ¨evaluating the rate at which wetlands are being degraded in the area, as well as identify factors which account this¨.
Several cardinal findings in the first section of this research showed that a pertinent issue concerning wetlands in Ndop Central Subdivision needed to be addressed. The concept of wetland degradation was highlighted; and this falls within the realms of key issues which were broadly addressed by the Ramsar convention and its contracting parties (Ramsar Convention Bureau 2000). This concept alone forms a canopy under which the entire plethora faced by wetlands fall. These challenges in themselves are the basic reason behind the formation of organizations concerned with the sustainable management of wetlands; the principal one being the Ramsar Convention on wetlands, created as early as 1971 in Iran. In spite of the divergence of opinion as to what concerns the idea of wetland degradation, key issues which can be highlighted include wetland loss, wetland transformation and loss of functions and values of wetlands; manifested by a loss in their biodiversity, water quality, drainage patterns, aesthetic and cultural values (W.W.F.2004).
Cross sections of countries in the world have experienced degradation of their wetlands; this being the object of studies by authors like A. Teigo (2007), Hollis (1992), Taylor et al/ (1995) amongst others. A synthesis of research by these authors across the world revealed that over 50% of the worlds wetlands have been lost (Ramsar Bureau, 2000).

Being a key issue, wetland degradation offers a broad spectrum of discussion in African countries which still have paucity in data on wetlands (A. Tiega, 2007). Such lapses were seen to have negative impacts on the wetlands in this continent and even on those classified as Ramsar sites, with 84% of them having undergone and/or being threatened by ecological change, (Dugan and Jones,1993). With Cameroon not left out in this infamous race of wetland degradation, authors like Voufo D. (1984), De Loucas (1994) Forpah C.N. (2004), amongst others, have been interested in addressing issues concerning the theme in question. The debate still remains open at the time when Cameroon recently ratified the Ramsar Convention on wetlands and became an active member on the 20/07/2006. With only two Ramsar sites enlisted, it gives a hasty impression of the other wetlands being highly degraded;