Central Africa
World Heritage Forest Initiative
(CAWHFI)

Using the World Heritage Convention as a tool to strengthen international cooperation in the field of cultural and natural heritage conservation in Central Africa, CAWHFI has implemented various activities since 2004 to promote the sustainable management of wildlife and identify potential natural World Heritage sites in three transboundary ecological landscapes:

• Gamba-Mayumba-Conkouati Landscape (Congo, Gabon)
• Dja-Odzala-Minkébé Tri-national Landscape (TRIDOM) (Cameroon, Congo, Gabon)
• Sangha Trinational (TNS) (Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic)

A major success was the inscription of the Sangha Trinational (TNS) in July 2012 on the World Heritage List. This property was the first transboundary tripartite nature site to receive this international recognition.

Between 2016 and 2020, funding from the European Commission enabled CAWHFI to strengthen the monitoring of the TRIDOM and TNS landscapes, an area of more than 225,000 km2 that includes three World Heritage sites (Dja Faunal Reserve, Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda and Sangha Trinational), by increasing anti-poaching patrol efforts (more than 3,500 patrols and 300,000km travelled), the use of innovative technologies (SMART, trap cameras, drones and remote sensing, etc.) and the training of more than 350 eco-guards.

CAWHFI's support has also improved site management through the rehabilitation of infrastructure, the promotion of eco-tourism, the involvement and training of local communities (more than 3000 people) and the updating/production of wildlife inventories (e.g. elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees). In addition, CAWHFI provided technical support to the Congolese and Gabonese authorities for the preparation of nomination dossiers for Odzala-Kokoua and Ivindo National Parks, respectively.