A study on the Sustainable Use of African Rain Forest

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The field research was conducted for three fiscal years from 1992 to 1994 on the subject of "A study on the Sustain able Use of African Rain Forest" in Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Cameroon and Gabon, from view points of anthropology, zoology, botany and agroeconomy.In the swamp forest in northern Congo, we found a carbonised layr which is considerd as a trace of swidden cultivation 2600 years ago. It suggests a migration of cultivators into this area had taken place before that time, and this evidence is important to understanding the history of forest use.We investigated the long term influence upon the forest caused by human activities in northern Congo. Traditional swidden cultivation for domestic consumption in sparsely populated area can well be sustainable.In Cameroon and Congo, we also investigated the distribution of ethnic groups and their population, as well as the method and the subject of hunting, the freqency of hunting activity in these areas. We collected the data for human impact upon the animals caused by hunting.We observed the present situation of forest conservation in Burundi and Rwanda, then pointed out its result and its subject.We investigated socio-cultural background of each ethnic group which directly influenced their forest uses. We got some of the basic data for designing a model which would enable us to combine the forest conservation with its sustainable use.Traditional knowledge and actual use of forest resources in each area was also studied. This data can be used for analysis of African ethno-science and their ways of thought, in particular their views about nature.In eastern Cameroon, we researched non-timber forest resources and their prices, producing area, distribution channel and use at seven local markets.We are putting these result into AFLORA,which is useful as the basic data for a wiser management of natural reso urces without cutting the trees.