May 22, 2012 was celebrated as the “International Day for Biological Diversity”, to commemorate the adoption on May 22, 1992, of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This year the Convention celebrated its 20th anniversary at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development “Rio+20” (20 to 22 June).

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biodiversity in order to increase the understanding and awareness of all citizens on biodiversity issues. May 22, 2012 is Marine Biodiversity Day.

Each year, a theme is chosen to guide this symbolic day. The year 2011 was an opportunity to raise public awareness of forest issues and to encourage the taking of practical measures. The year 2012 is devoted to marine and coastal biodiversity.

In Cameroon, the launch of the International Day for Biodiversity took place in the city of Kribi. The ceremony began with the speeches of the Mayor of Kribi II followed by that of the Minister of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED) and finally that of the CBD Focal Point.

The ceremony continued with a visit to the various sites of the projects carried out by MINEPDED. The delegation that accompanied the Minister visited in turn:

• The Freshwater Shrimp Aquaculture and Environmental Protection Project project was a shrimp farming project by the population of the lobed village under the supervision of the OPED (Organization for the Environment and Sustainable Development).

• The next visit consisted in experiencing firsthand the damage caused by human activity and nature on the banks.
• The Sustainable Coastal Tourism Project (COAST Project) site visit was the third stage of the delegation's journey. The project here consists in maintaining the beaches of Londji village in a state of cleanliness that favors the tourist development of the area. 

 

 

• The delegation's visit ended with a visit to the site of the project for the conservation and participatory management of mangrove ecosystems in Cameroon. This project aims to regenerate the mangrove destroyed by the local population. They use mangrove wood to smoke fish. Thanks to the OPED, new smoking methods have been taught to the population, significantly reducing their pressure on this fragile ecosystem.