EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

        The Bakossi-Banyang-Mbo-Lebialem landscape (BBML) ranges from gentle slopes and undulating plains to hills and mountains, with associated vegetation that spans tropical lowland vegetation through submontane to cloud forest and presents an ideal framework for conservation of biodiversity. It is an area of exceptionally high endemism, especially the Bakossi area which is known as one of the richest in Tropical Africa in terms of plant diversity. BBML is made up of 220 settlements (villages and towns) with 45 in Manyu Division, 33 in Lebialem Division and 142 in Kupe Manenguba Division. In terms of conservation, there is 1 National park, 3 Wildlife sanctuaries, 3 Integral Ecological Reserve, 3 production forest reserves and 2 forest management units.

        This report presents methods in participatory mapping and presents some participatory maps of the area around the Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary and FMU 11-002 that are currently witnessing farming encroachment from neighboring communities. Participatory mapping was conducted within these communities as well as use of satellite imagery and field data collection using the GPS. Image analysis was conducted using 2006 and 2015 satellite imagery obtained from PSMNR South West along-side some field collected data to for a micro-zoning of the landscape that include; a settlement area, farmlands, reserve farming zone, communal land, fragile ecological zones (mainly water catchments, lakes, river basins and salt licks), mining concessions, protected areas, forest reserves, council and community forests, FMU’s, sales of standing volumes and plantations

Some management options were equally explored for the following;

• A review of activities relating to PA managements implemented in the landscape by partners using SWOT the presents the various activities with their strengths, weakness, opportunity and strengths.
• An analysis of conservation initiatives like REDD+ or PES with links to land rights, micro-zoning and community engagement in land use planning that examine different options that could be explored in the landscape.
• Institutional frame work for sustainable resource management is presented with main actors as public institutions, private sector and international organizations and the local communities.
• A proposed template of a memorandum of understanding has been presented involving PA management and the local communities in the implementation of the future BBML TOU.
• M & E tools are presented to check any potential land use conflicts and its effectiveness in the implementation of management plans.