Cumulative Impact Assessment of Development Projects Around Campo-Ma'an National Park in Cameroon

Abstract

This study assesses the extent to which cumulative impacts are considered when evaluating the environmental and social impacts of development projects in proximity to a protected area. The applicability of the Sorensen and Rau method for evaluating these impacts was also investigated. The methodological basis of this study is the content analysis of eight environmental and social impact assessment reports. These reports were assessed using an assessment grid divided into six blocks of questions. This grid was developed on the basis of good practice and implemented through exchanges with key stakeholders. It was also implemented in accordance with the four stages recommended by Sorensen and Rau. The results demonstrate that Block 1, which pertains to the role of the Campo-Ma'an National Park in the study, has a level of consideration of 79%. Block 2, which pertains to the analysis of the impact of the projects on the Park, was considered to a degree of 81%. Block 3, which addresses the consideration of cumulative impacts on the Park, was addressed to a limited extent, at 52%. Block 4, which pertains to public participation, has a compliance rate of 47%. Block 5, which pertains to the integration of the Environmental and Social Management Plan, was considered to the extent of 67%. Block 6 addressed 47% of the cumulative impacts on the park in the Environmental and Social Management Plan. The findings of the Sorensen and Rau method indicate that the component associated with great ape populations remains of significant value, with a criticality score of 19.52. Those components associated with the park's surface area, ecological corridors and habitat remain at an average criticality value of 11.4, 11.1 and 10.22, respectively. This suggests that the park's valued components could suffer from the cumulative effects of the various projects, particularly those associated with great apes. The study revealed that projects do not systematically integrate cumulative impacts due to a dearth of data, and that this shortcoming could be addressed through a combined matrix and network approach. It would be more prudent to consider the digitization of systems in relation to impact analysis at a time when digital technology is optimizing systems.