Nki-Nationalpark

The Nki National Park is a national park in southeastern Cameroon. The park belongs to the Eastern Province of the country.

History

Since about 1980, the WWF is striving to protect the forest active. One of the goals of the WWF was to prevent the exploitation by the timber industry. When the organization was established in the area, she first pursued the goal of sustainable forestry. As the timber industry managed workstations, the WWF activities with displeasure or disapproval by the native population were noted. 1988 finally left the woodworking industry the area. What remained were old machines, the rot today. Due to the lack of alternatives for the indigenous tribes laid this their activities to the illegal poaching.

The government of Cameroon met the increasing poaching reprisals against the local population. An example of this, there was in January 1997 when Baka Pygmies were driven from their homes near Mambele. Since the people of the Baka are traditional hunters and gatherers, they have no understanding of these actions.

Despite all the problems described in 1990, a freelance journalist Nki the National Park as the last true wilderness. In 1995, the site has been designated as Essential protection zone (Essential Protection Zone). Between 1996 and 2000, the National Forest Authority of Cameroon as well as supportive partners have prepared a study. The goal was a biological, ecological and socio-economic inventory to bring a corresponding laws leaf on the way.

Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo currently working on a so-called Tridome project. The aim is to create a tri-national and thus transnational zone. Part of the integration project are the Minkébé ( Gabon), the Boumba Bek (Cameroon), the Nki ( Cameroon ) and the Odzala National Park (Congo ) and the Dja Wildlife Reserve (Cameroon). Forest corridors to connect Ivindo and Mwagne National Park in Gabon.

Since 18 April 2006, the Nki National Park is on the short list of UNESCO World Heritage.

Geography

Due to its remoteness in southeastern Cameroon, the park was able to maintain its originality. The park is located at an altitude 350-650 meters above sea level. The park belongs to the ecoregion Sangha. Through the park flows some large rivers. One of them is the Dja. Part of the Dja is the mighty Nki waterfall.

The park is located at a latitude between 2 ˚ 05 ˚ 50 and 2 and a longitude 14 ˚ 05 and 14 ˚ 50 The area covers an area of ​​3093 km ².

The nearest towns to Nki are Yokadouma, Moloundou and Lomié. The rest is rural area.

In the forest there are at least 73 salt pans. Six of the salt flats, ikwa, Badangue, Mbiado, Sokolimbombo, Teke and Metouke are known for high deer crossing, since the minerals are very popular in animals.

Climate

The park has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature is 24 ˚ C. The relative humidity varies between 60 and 90 %. According to the Cameroonian Ministry of Agro culture is the rainy season from March to June and from September to November. The dry season is from November to March and from July to August. The annual rainfall is about 1500 mm per year.

Population

Within the reserve live small groups of pygmies. They belong to the ethnic group of the Baka. You are allowed in designated areas, the traditional hunting.

The vast majority of the population consists of ethnic group of Bantu.

There is also the tribes of Djem, Bangando, Bakwele and Zime.

Biodiversity

Flora

The largest part of the national park consists of evergreen forest. The forest is dominated by 50-60 meter high obeche trees ( Triplochiton scleroxylon ). In addition, one finds Limbabäume ( Terminalia superba ), African mahogany trees ( Entandrophragma species), colas and Elm Family.

Fauna

In the park there is a high density of forest elephants. In addition, one finds in Nki Western lowland gorillas and forest buffalo. Other primates in the park are chimpanzees, Brazzameerkatzen, Black Colobus and Haubenmangabe.

Also for ornithologists, the park is a paradise. A 20 -day inventory by BirdLife International found 265 different species of birds. Among the species present include, inter alia, of Gabon Buschsänger ( Bradypterus grandis), the boat -tailed Nightjar ( Caprimulgus binotatus ), the Fleckenibis ( Bostrychia rara ) and Schwachschnabeluhu (Bubo leucostictus ).

The Nki waterfall is home to the Nile crocodile. Similarly, one finds dwarf cichlids. In the rivers of Nki more than 300 different species of fish were counted.

Swell

Bénoué | Bouba - Ndjida | Boumba -Bek | Campo - Ma'an | Faro | Kalamalou | Korup | Lobéké | Mangroves De Ndongore | Mbam - Djerem | Mount Manengouba | Mozogo - Gokoro | Nki | Takamanda | Vallée du Mbere | Waza

• National Park in Africa
• National Park in Cameroon
• Biosphere Reserve in Africa
• Est (Cameroon)