The Director General of World Wide FundLeape_james_p for Nature, WWF International, Jim Leape, has said conservation can only succeed if it works for people. Leape was speaking while on a visit to the Central African Sub region. In this exclusive interview in Mambele a village near Lobeke National Park, 800km away from Yaounde, Leape articulates other issues including WWF's vision for the Congo Basin which he describes as one of the best places on earth; hails Cameroon government's commitment to biodiversity conservation and lots more.

You are at the heart of the Congo Basin Rainforest. What prompted you to embark on this trip?

Jim Leape: This forest is for WWF one of the most important places on earth. It is at the cutting edge of conservation for the organisation. Here we are trying to conserve forest on a very large scale, working at the highest levels with heads  of states and with foreign governments and at the same time working with local communities to try and find solutions which can sustain conservation in the long term.

It is a flagship programme for our organisation. So it is important for me to have time to see what is being done and to share with some of our most important partners.

What is your impression about the Jengi Programme?

This is a place with stunning resources; the only place where you can see lowland gorillas and forest elephants. But more broadly a real spectacular forest from a biodiversity perspective. It is a place for people who want to be part of finding solutions, who want to be part of conservation and a place of great challenges.

This is a hard place to find good solutions. We have seen very exciting work from some of our colleagues in Central Africa Republic and here in Cameroon. We have seen some of what they are up against and the challenges they face. It has been for me a very inspiring trip.

You were in a logging company (Group SEFAC) that recently received FSC Certification. Do you think, from what you saw and heard, it was worthwhile for WWF to accompany this company through the certification process?

I think FSC Certification is one of the most important strategies we have developed over the last 15 years because, absolutely, we have to find ways to conserve the forest and at the same time meet the economic and social needs of surrounding communities. And certified forestry is a proven strategy for doing that.

It is very exciting to see that strategy work here in Central Africa. In this specific case we were able to talk with the management and see sustainable forest management in operation. For me it was a great visit.

Do you think the government of Cameroon is committed to biodiversity conservation?

The meetings I had 18 months ago in Yaounde obviously indicate to me that there is a real promise here. You see some particular governments very serious about conservation and about really taking a leadership role in deciding how forest management can be done and I think one of our tasks is to make sure that we are supporting those who want to do things the right way, those who want to really find good solutions and to help make sure that they are successful. We should not miss that opportunity here in Cameroon

Local Wildlife authorities in Cameroon complain that it has not been possible to track and arrest white-collared poachers because of their position and influence. How can WWF help out in this situation?

I think it is important to crack that problem. I do not think the fight against poaching can be focused only on those low standing poachers. I think the big moneys; organised crimes for years for rich people who are behind the big poaching are people we have to get at. We have to crack the big rings and not just get at people at the lower level.

Some people think that WWF is more interested in protecting nature to the detriment of people whereas it should have been the other way round. What is your take on this assertion?

I can understand that feeling and I think there is a deep understanding within this organisation that conservation can only be successful if it works for people in particular, who live in the areas we are trying to protect, that we are broadly working for society.

We have recognised that for a very long time the strategy that you now see developing in the Congo Basin, for the Amazon, for the Coral Triangle and so on really are focused on finding lasting solutions and lasting solutions means solutions that work for the people. That is actually what we are trying to do.

What do you think of organisations like Green Peace who insist that the trees should not be touched?

We all agree somehow that this forest needs to be conserved. But our experience is also clear that if we are going to conserve this forest we have to find a way to allow some sustainable use to meet the economic needs and aspirations of the people who live here. For us it is clear that FSC certified logging really has that promise.

It is an important part, alongside protected areas for long term conservation of this great place.

What is your working relationship with German Development Bank (KFW) that is putting money into conservation and biodiversity protection?

KFW is one of our most important partners. There is an extraordinary commitment from KFW. The resources they are ready to commit offers great potentials for us to forge solutions here in the Congo Basin, in the Amazon and other parts of the world. So they are for us a great partner.

How do you manage your job and your family life given that you are always on the go?

I think everybody in our organisation struggles with those problems because we are all passionately committed to the work we are trying to do and at the same time of course to our families. I try and find a balance. I try and make sure I am part of moving things forward and I still make time for my family.

What lured you into biodiversity conservation?

This has been my passion as long as I could remember since when I was a kid. It all started with a love for nature. But in the last three decades I got to understand that these are challenges that are fundamental to the existence of humanity. Apart from the passion in the end I think this is a very important cause for humanity. There could be no better priority than that.

What happens to you after this job?

I do not think there is a better job than this. I do not think there is a better organisation in the world that is better positioned than we are to make a difference as far as biodiversity conservation is concerned. So what a privilege to work in this organisation and I am happy with that.

What message for the WWF Jengi team?

I have been focused on the Congo Basin for a very long time. I was here for the first time almost 10 years ago but much longer than this. This is a region that I have been particularly fascinated by and passionate of.

To me it is an incredible privilege to spend time with this team, to be here in the field getting a sense of the great work they have been doing under very challenging circumstances. This is a place where we are trying to protect elephants and gorillas but more broadly trying to conserve the forest which is laudable in terms of human needs.

We see great creativity in this team in finding ways to engage local communities, engage big actors like logging companies and governments to forge solutions and that is what this is all about. For the Jengi and Cameroonian team I am very proud to be associated with this group of people and I look forward to great things from them in many years to come.

http://www.postnewsline.com/2008/08/conservation-ca.html