Environmental Impact of Logging and Strategies for Reducing Damage: A Case Study of BK Business Sarl in Eastern Cameroon

This study examined the environmental impacts of logging and strategies aimed at minimising damage: the case of BK Business Sarl in the Eastern Region of Cameroon. The methodological approach focused on two plots, each 250 m long by 20 m wide, covering a total area of 0.5 ha. Surveys were carried out using four transects to cover each plot. A survey was carried out on tree trunks with a diameter of ≥ 10 cm, measured using a dendrometric tape at chest height (1.30 m). 125 people were interviewed (70 Baka, 35 Zime, 17 loggers from BK Business and 3 loggers from the Lomie communal forest). These individuals were selected on the basis of their connection to the Lomie communal forest and the various activities they carry out. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse logging damage, whilst a participatory, goal-oriented approach was adopted to gather proposals for priority measures aimed at reducing damage caused by logging operations. The results show that skidding is the forestry operation that causes the most damage (10.53 per cent) due to the type of formation and equipment used in the process; felling comes second with a disturbance rate of 10.15 per cent; road construction causes less damage, with a rate of 9.24 per cent; and clearing timber yards is the forestry operation that causes the least damage to the ground, at just 6.2 per cent. In order to limit the environmental impact of forestry operations, various strategies have been considered: controlled felling; the implementation of staff training programmes; mapping the locations of trees to be felled; limiting the width of skid trails to 4-5 metres and the area of timber yards to a maximum of 0.5 hectares; and holding site managers accountable through the introduction of a remuneration system based on the nature of the damage caused and on their performance bonuses.