Urban Forest Regeneration as a Catalyst to Combat Landslides in Ecologically Fragile Zones of Cameroon: The Case of the Bamenda Escarpment

Urban forest loss in African cities is driven by rapid urbanisation, informal settlement and household energy demand. Along the Cameroon Volcanic Line, these pressures coincide with steep, weathered slopes and intense rainfall, producing recurrent landslides. This paper examines urban forest regeneration as a nature-based response to landslide risk on the Bamenda Escarpment, an ecologically fragile belt of about 8.4 km² with gradients commonly exceeding 25 %. Over the past decade, the zone has recorded at least four landslides in Sisia, six fatalities and repeated flooding of low-lying neighbourhoods, while informal occupation has expanded to more than 17,000–21,000 residents. Drawing on the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP), council records, partner studies and field observation, the paper documents a package of local actions: annual planting of about 2,000 trees, planned expropriation and resettlement of some 850 households from the red zone, catchment protection with water-yielding species, two community-managed nurseries, a 50-member Sisia Supervisory Committee formalised by municipal decision, and a City Green Park developed with UN-Habitat. Partnership finance from UN-Habitat, FEICOM and the councils has enabled incremental works of the order of XAF 300 million. New house construction in the high-risk zone fell from 30 units in 2018 to one unit in 2025; reported hazard deaths declined from six (2009–2020) to one (2020–2025). The Bamenda experience indicates that forest densification, when coupled with participatory land management and planned resettlement, can reduce human-induced slope failure and support climate-resilient urbanisation. The model remains incomplete: full protection of the escarpment, replacement of eucalyptus in catchments, and long-term tenure and livelihood support for relocated households still require further partnership finance and behavioural research.

densification; informal settlements; landslides; expropriation; nature-based solutions; resettlement; resilience; urban forest regeneration

1. Acha, M.E. & Tume, S.J.P. (2025). Land Degradation-Climate Change Nexus in the Rural-Urban Front of Bamenda, Cameroon. In Chatterjee, U., Ghosh, A., & Kumar Roy, S.K. (Eds., 2025). Eco-Resilience: Climate Change, Land Degradation and Sustainable Solutions, Sustainability Solutions Series. Springer, Cham, 241-264. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-00708-7_9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ade, W.T., Fogwe, Z.N. & Wanie, C.M. (2026). Dynamics of Land Utilisation and the Implications for Urban Forest Resources in Bamenda, Cameroon. Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International, 30(8), 95-116. https://doi.org/10.9734/jgeesi/2026/v30i81095 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Afungang, R. N., et al. (2017). Predicting the susceptibility of the Bamenda Escarpment zone, North-West Cameroon, to landslides using a logistic regression model. Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Ajani, E. N., Mgbenka, R. N., & Okeke, M. N. (2013). Use of indigenous knowledge as a strategy for climate change adaptation among farmers in sub-Saharan Africa: Policy implications. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Amah, E. M., et al. (2022). An assessment of landslides along mountain forest roads: Bamenda Ring Road segment through Bafut and Befang Forests on the Cameroon Volcanic Line. American Journal of Environment Studies, 5(1). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Angel, S., et al. (2016). Atlas of Urban Expansion / related analyses of urban extent and population, 1990–2015. New York: NYU Urban Expansion Program. Bamenda City Council. (2017). Bamenda Master Plan 2017–2027. Bamenda. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Bamenda City Council. (2019). Bamenda Land Use Plan. Bamenda. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Earth Negotiations Bulletin. (2024). Summary of the 2024 Bonn Climate Change Conference, 3–13 June 2024, 12(853). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. ERA Cameroon. (2016). Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme, Phase II: Sisia. Bamenda. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2007). Fourth Assessment Report. Geneva: IPCC. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Lambi, C. M. (2004). A revisit of the recurrent landslides on the Bamenda Escarpment. Journal of Applied Social Science, 4, 4–14. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Nangsinyuy, L.S. & Tume, S.J.P. (2025). Climate Change Mitigation Through Ecosystem Restoration in the Bamenda III Municipality, Cameroon. In Chatterjee, U., Ghosh, A., & Kumar Roy, S.K. (Eds., 2025). Eco-Resilience: Climate Change, Land Degradation and Sustainable Solutions, Sustainability Solutions Series. Springer, Cham, 459-479. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-00708-7_18 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Ndikebeng, K.R., Forba, C.F., Tume, S.J.P., Banseka, J.Y. & Kimengsi, J.N. (2023). Land Cover Dynamics and Implications for Water Resources in Bamenda III Sub-Division, North West Region, Cameroon. International Journal of Global Sustainability, 7(1), 37-52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijgs.v7i1.21031 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Ngapgue, F., et al. (2020). Geotechnical study of landslide at the Bamenda Station escarpment. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 7(11). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Ngonga, L.N. & Tume, S.J.P. (2015). Indicators of Spontaneous Settlements in Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon. African Journal of Social Sciences, 6(4), 96-104. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Nyambod, E. M. (2010). Environmental consequences of rapid urbanisation in Bamenda City, Cameroon. Journal of Environmental Protection, 1, 15–23. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Pickering, K. T., et al. (1995). Atlas of Deep Water Environments: Architectural style in turbidite systems. London: Chapman & Hall. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Polygon SARL. (2020). Detailed studies of Sisia under the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme. Bamenda. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Republic of Cameroon. (2019). General Code of Regional and Local Authorities. Yaoundé. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Tambe, A.E.M., Ahfembombi, L.L., Anyang, G. & Tume, S.J.P. (2019). Urbanisation and the Vulnerability of Wetlands in Bamenda Urban, Northwest Cameroon. International Journal of Resource and Environmental Management, 4(3), 53-62. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Tani, B.V. & Tume, S.J.P. (2019). The Role of Municipal Councils in Climate Change Mitigation in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. International Journal of Resource and Environmental Management, 4(2), 3-17. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Tosam, H.N. & Tume, S.J.P. (2024). Urbanscape Implications of Demographic Expansion in Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon. African Journal of Social Sciences: A Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Sciences, 15 (8), 3-20. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Tosam, H.N., Wanie, C.M. & Tume, S.J.P. (2025). Environmental Hazards Perception in the Kom Highlands of Cameroon. African Journal of Social Sciences: A Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Sciences, 16 (1), 47-72. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Tume, S.J.P. & Nyuyse, Y.B. (2026). Pathways for Resilience to Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from Bamenda, Cameroon. In Okyere, A.S., Diko, S.K., Frimpong, L.K., Abunyewah, M., & Mensah, S.L. (Eds., 2025). Routledge Handbook of Resilient Urban Planning for Small and Medium-Sized Cities. First Edition, Routledge, 69-86. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003588801-6 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Tume, S.J.P. & Tambe, A.E.M. (2026). Building a Local Circular Economy Through Waste Valorisation in Bamenda, Cameroon. Journal of Waste Management & Recycling Technology, 4(2), [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.47363/JWMRT/2026(4)165 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Tume, S.J.P. (2021). Impact of Climate Change on Domestic Water Accessibility in Bamenda III Sub-Division, North West Region, Cameroon. Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences, 17(2): 131-145. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jcas.v17i4.3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Tume, S.J.P. (2022). Standardised Precipitation Index Valuation of Climate Change in Bamenda. Geology, Earth and Marine Sciences, 4(1): 1-6. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Tume, S.J.P., Nyuyse, Y.B., Kinyuy, F.S., Kuyar, C., Ngoran, T.L., Ngoran, H.A., Lueong, L.A., Ngala, E.N., Tambe, A.E.M., Fanka, I.B., Kiseem, B.F. & Mbinkar, V.J. (2024). Pathway for Net Zero Policies: Aligning Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for Holistic Sustainable Development in Cameroon. Global Scientific Journals, 12(9), 1279-1300. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Tume, S.J.P., Nyuyse, Y.B., Kuyar, C., Ngoran, L.T., Ngoran, H.A., Kinyuy, F.S. & Ngala, E.N. (2025a). Vulnerability of Urban Housing to Climate Change in Cameroon. In Cheshmehzangi, A., Zuo, J., Sharifi, A., Zhang, R., Ziafati Bafarasat, A., & Zhhao, J. (Eds., 2025). Designing Healthy Buildings and Communities: Urban Sustainability, Springer, Singapore, 49-89. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-3057-8_4 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Tume, S.J.P., Zetem, C.C., Nyuyse, Y.B., Kuyar, C., Ngoran, L.T. & Kinyuy, F.S. (2025b). Vulnerability and Resilience of Urban Housing to Climate Change in Cameroon. In Fouda, M. & Essone, M.N. (Eds., 2025): Collection Dynamiques Territoriales et Développement, Anthropiscence urbaine et durabilité: Regard pluridisciplinaire sur la coévolution à risque entre urbanisation et environnement au Cameroun. Éditions Cheick Anta Diop, Douala, 249-297. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. UN-Habitat. (2015). International guidelines and related urbanisation statistics used in World Cities reporting. Nairobi: UN-Habitat. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. UN-Habitat. (2016). The New Urban Agenda (Habitat III, Quito). Nairobi: UN-Habitat. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. UN-Habitat. (2018). Delivering the New Urban Agenda through urban and territorial planning. Nairobi: UN-Habitat. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. UN-Habitat. (2024). World Cities Report 2024. Nairobi: UN-Habitat. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. United Nations Population Division. (2014). World urbanisation prospects. New York: United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. United Nations. (2015). Paris Agreement. Bonn: UNFCCC. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Wantim, M. N., et al. (2023). Forensic investigation of the Gouache landslide disaster, Western Region of Cameroon. Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences, 19(2). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Site Selection to Community Handover: Effective Recharge Shaft Development for Rural Water Security in Shetphal, Maharashtra
• Flood Hazard and Prevention Strategies Towards Sustainable Economic Development and Proper Community Planning in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
• Lineaments Characterization of Shira Complex, Bauchi State Nigeria
• High-Grade Ore in a Decarbonising World: Simandou, Green Steel and the Strategic Repositioning of India’s Iron Ore Sector
• Mineralogical and Physical Characterization of Some Clayey Soils from Parts of Southwestern Nigeria for Ceramic Application.