Bwitingi

Rewilding Buea's water catchments - 3 of 3.

Buea, Cameroon

Miyawaki Forest

Water

City

Habitat Restoration

Self Sustaining

After approx. three years our SUGi Pocket Forests can be classed as self-sustaining, at which point they can be handed over to Nature and left alone for complexity to naturally develop.

Trees

Square Meters

Native Species

The Bwitingi water catchment, where a water tank sits over an underground spring, is the third chapter in the story of rewilding Buea’s water catchments.

The catchment supplies water to Molyko, Muea and Wonia Mavio neighborhoods.

This area, once marked by the removal of towering trees and the cultivation of farmland, now stands as a testament to the evolving relationship between nature and human ingenuity.

Forest Maker
Limbi Blessing Tata

“We aren’t just planting forests, we are bringing about significant positive social change on many levels. Suddenly, youths are checking on us saying 'please when are we planting the next forest'? It's awesome.”
Limbi Blessing Tata

Forest Report: 2023

0 Years

Forest Age

Survival Rate

Average of Tallest 3 Trees

Bwitingi is one of our outstanding self-reliant forests as it plays a crucial role in habitat availability for biodiversity. It is also beneficial to the local communities through its conservation of the lone watershed - supplying drinkable water. The forest provides shade to the locals, as people are often seen in the forest during sunny days.

Biodiversity Notes:

Forest Report: 2022

0 Months

Forest Age

Survival Rate

Average of Tallest 3 Trees

After 1 year this forest is progressing well. It is dense - as a Miyawaki forest ought to be - with good canopy cover and low visibility on the forest floor, so much so that we have to call out to our team within the forest. This is a brilliant sign for wildlife in the forest; it means there are protected, sheltered spaces and this will support biodiversity. Bwitingi is a real haven.

The water catchment continues to do well with this new forest surrounding it. It remains a reliable water source for local people - in addition to local industry who rely on this catchment for construction works.

The Bwitingi forest after 1 year growth.

Biodiversity Notes:

Many millipedes (Stemmiulus gervais) have been seen in the forest.

Fruit of ‘waterside’ creeping plant (latin name unknown)

Seeds from a flowering plant (Bauhinia sp.)

Planting: August 2021

The Benefits

Recharge ground water and improve water tables
Regenerate biodiversity
Allow for honey gathering
Grow medicinal herbs and spices, nuts, fruits that can be harvested and sold by members of the community