The protection of nature, the preservation of animal and plant species and their habitats, the biological balances and ecosystems, and the conservation of biological and genetic diversity against all causes of degradation and threats of extinction are of national interest. It is the duty of the public authorities and of every citizen to ensure that our natural heritage is safeguarded.
Natural resources must be managed rationally so as to satisfy the needs of present generations without compromising those of future generations.
The sustainable use of Cameroon’s biological diversity is achieved in particular through:
– An inventory of existing species, particularly those threatened with extinction;
– Species management and habitat preservation plans;
– A system for controlling access to genetic resources.
The conservation of biological diversity through the protection of fauna and flora and the creation and management of nature reserves and national parks are governed by the laws and regulations in force.
The State may designate any part of the national territory as an ecologically protected area. Such an area is subject to an environmental management plan.
The scientific exploitation and exploitation of Cameroon’s biological and genetic resources must be carried out in conditions of transparency and close collaboration with national research institutions, local communities and in a way that is profitable to Cameroon under the conditions set out in the relevant international conventions duly ratified by Cameroon, in particular the 1992 Rion Convention on Biological Diversity.
A decree implementing the law shall determine the historical, archaeological and scientific sites, as well as sites of particular scenic beauty, and shall organise their protection and the conditions for their management.
The exploration and exploitation of mining and quarrying resources must be carried out taking into account environmental considerations.
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