Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Exploitation and Household Uses in Bui Division, North West Cameroon

This study was carried out in Oku, Bui Division, North West Cameroon with the aim of examining the uses of four selected Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) (Fuel wood, Alpine bamboo, Honey, and Bushmeat-Rodents) by households. Data were collected from randomly selected 400 households in 8 villages using semi-structured questionnaire. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that Fuelwood was most exploited by Households (80.75%), followed by Alpine bamboo (68.5%), Honey (50%) and Rodents (38%). A great number of households exploited all the four NTFPs under review (20.75%). Just a few households collected only one NTFP (24.25%) while 75.75% collect at least two NTFPs. NTFPs were mostly collected in the households for both consumption and commercial purposes (90.5%), while 9.5% were collected for consumption purposes only. No households indicated that they collected NTFPs for commercial purposes only. The NTFPs were mainly used by Households for food, medicine, construction, culture and as tools, with “tools only†being the greatest use. From field findings, it can be concluded that respondents could not do without these NTFPs in their daily domestic activities as they serve as sources of food, medicine, income and thus means of livelihood. We therefore recommend that households should exploit sustainably and the government and NGOs should keep educating households on more sustainable ways of using the forest.