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Faced with insecurity and threats to the Cross River Forest from neighbouring Cameroon separatists and others, communities and stakeholders have tasked the government to be deliberate in tackling security challenges in the National Park support zone communities.
They said this should be addressed urgently due to the regular threats from cross border separatist, Ambazonia, activities.
They made the call, yesterday, in a communiqué issued and signed by Deputy Conservator of Park, Ikpeme Rebecca, Project Manager, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Vincent Ayang, and Village Head of Yangwabue Community, HRH Otu Vincent Akwo, and six others, after a stakeholders’ meeting with support zone communities, academia, state government and Civil Society Organisations, organised by WCS, in partnership with National Parks Service with support from Arcus Foundation.
The forum, with the theme, ‘Cross River State Stakeholder Meeting: Improving the Management of Cross River National Park,’ also resolved to control insecurity by keeping the ecological integrity of the National Park intact, stating that mining, logging, farming, hunting and other illegal activities are prohibited in the Park.
Participants also acknowledged that the National Park is a legally protected area backed by law, and that all the wildlife, as well as other natural resources therein are not just owned by the government, but also communities, as such all must join hands to protect it.
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