Environmental experts have started implementing field level micro-projects aimed at improving the livelihood of people living in and around the Ngovayang Forest in the South Region. The initiative to conserve and sustainably manage the biodiversity of the Ngovayang Forest was officially launched in November 2008 at a workshop organised under the auspices of the Cameroon Biodiversity Conservation Society (CBCS)- an affiliate of Birdlife International. The launching ceremony brought together representatives of relevant government Ministries, community-based organisations and traditional institutions in the area.

The Ngovayang Forest constitutes an important source of livelihood for the local people derived from the use of non-timber-forest products. The management and sustainable harvest of these products necessitate a better understanding of the collection, processing and marketing of the products.

The indigenous people of the area are the Bagneli and Bakola living alongside their Bantou neighbours who often claim ownership of all natural resources in the region.

CBCS has long been carrying out research activities in the Ngovayang Forest area geared towards enhancing the living conditions of the indigenous people while conserving biodiversity in the region.

The micro-projects designed to alleviate poverty following the research results in the area touch on improvement of income generating activities, sustainable harvesting of non-timber-forest products (NTFPs), creation of community farms and enhancement skills in craft work. These projects are intended to link the livelihood improvement to biodiversity conservation by strengthening the capacity of the indigenous people.

CBCS is in the process of implementing a 5-year development and conservation project on livelihood improvement in the area. For this initiative to have maximum impact and benefits to the indigenous people and the site support groups, collaboration amongst the various stakeholders becomes of paramount importance. This is essential because it avoids duplication efforts and resources and facilitates the exchange of information and experiences. CBCS has often provided and continues to provide for such exchanges.

Identification of stakeholders is said to be prerequisite for sustainable development. Identification is important for communication and mutual recognition of rights or duties of various stakeholders including political stakeholders who make policies and define general framework within which other stakeholders work.