On June 17, 2026, the city of Maroua hosted the celebrations of the 32nd World Day for Combating Desertification and Drought, marking a symbolic milestone for Cameroon, which used the event to reaffirm its ambition to restore lands and protect threatened pastures.
Desertification, exacerbated by climate change and increasing human activity, poses a major challenge for the country. Degraded soils reduce agricultural productivity and undermine the resilience of rural populations, especially herders who depend on pastures for their livestock.
Present at the ceremony, Environment Minister Pierre Hélé, who also oversees nature protection and sustainable development, emphasized that pasture restoration is a national priority. “We must act now to reverse the trend, protect natural resources and guarantee food security for our citizens,” he said, noting that vegetation loss leads to heightened erosion and a decline in biodiversity.
The government unveiled an action framework built on three pillars: reforestation of degraded areas, promotion of agro‑forestry practices suited to local conditions, and the establishment of sustainable livestock management systems. These measures rely on cooperation with pastoral communities to blend traditional knowledge with technical innovations.
For herders, preserving pastures is vital. Healthy grazing lands provide quality feed for cattle, boost productivity and lower the costs associated with supplementary fodder. Moreover, well‑managed pastures reduce land‑use conflicts between farmers and herders, thereby fostering social cohesion in rural zones.
Cameroon is part of a regional momentum in which several West African countries are intensifying their efforts against desertification, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15. Sharing experiences and launching cross‑border projects strengthen collective capacity to tackle soil degradation.
The coming months will be decisive. The ministry announced pilot programmes in the most exposed regions, together with rigorous monitoring of restoration indicators. The international community and local stakeholders will be called upon to support these initiatives so that the promises made in Maroua translate into tangible results on the ground.
