Participatory Mapping in the Dja Landscape

February 12–22, 2026 | Organized by ACDEF-Cameroon

Mission Overview

From February 12 to 22, 2026, the African Conservation and Development Foundation (ACDEF-Cameroon) conducted a participatory mapping mission across target villages in the Dja landscape. Under the project “Strengthening ecosystem governance and connectivity for biodiversity conservation and improved livelihoods,” this initiative actively engaged local populations to map community-use zones and ecologically sensitive areas, placing communities at the center of territorial governance.

Mapped Territorial Features

Agricultural Areas

Demarcating farming zones to clarify land rights and prevent expansion conflicts.

Fishing & Hunting Sites

Identifying key subsistence locations for sustainable resource management.

NTFP Collection Zones

Mapping non-timber forest product gather spots for local economic valorization.

Wildlife Corridors

Highlighting movement paths to preserve biodiversity and ecological connectivity.

Cultural Sites

Securing spaces of historical and spiritual importance to community heritage.

Process & Methodology

A structured, multi-step participatory methodology ensuring local ownership and scientific accuracy.

01 Community Mobilization & Participatory Workshops

Organized structured dialogue spaces across GEF project villages around the Dja landscape to engage local populations and gather indigenous spatial knowledge.

02 Resource & Territorial Mapping

Collaboratively identified and mapped key community-use areas, including agricultural lands, fishing sites, hunting zones, NTFP collection areas, wildlife corridors, and cultural sites.

03 Data Integration & Ecological Planning

Synthesized spatial data to analyze human activity patterns, identify sensitive ecological zones, and design strategies to enhance habitat connectivity across the Congo Basin ecosystem.

04 Governance & Sustainable Livelihoods Implementation

Applied mapping outputs to clarify land-use rights, mitigate territorial conflicts, and establish community-based natural resource management, ecotourism, and NTFP valorization plans.

Biodiversity Conservation

Provides critical spatial data for improved land-use planning.
Strengthens ecological connectivity between fragmented natural habitats.
Protects sensitive zones within the Congo Basin forest ecosystem.

Livelihood Improvement

Clarifies land access rights to reduce territorial disputes.
Promotes community-based natural resource management.
Unlocks development potential for ecotourism and NTFP markets.

Phone

+237 694831142
+237 695183191

Mail

acdef.cameroon@acdef.org

Location

Mvan (Air Force area), Yaounde, Cameroon

The African Conservation and Development Foundation (ACDEF)

is a UK registered organization, Headquartered in Cambridge and works for nature and people in Africa

Charity No. 1125961
Company No. 6334400

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