Cameroon GLOBE Students Increase Environmental Awareness of Municipal Lake
20 December 2005
Mr. George Nditifon and Mrs. Margaret Besong, Cameroon Country Coordinator | The students presented their work to officials at the American Cultural Centre in Yaounde on World Environment Day 2003. GLOBE students Yangwet, Nuipoko, Ngufor Mercy, Ntokowo Habib, Ghogomu Constance, Ebontane Shelly, CHI Magdala, and Tumajong George, were also short listed for the Caretakers Conference in Turin, Italy.
The students learned that the lake was created in 1951 on a tributary of the Mfoundi River. It was created to promote aquaculture and nautical sports. |
- Lose surface area - reduced to circa 3.2 ha from 6-7 ha,
- Lose depth - reduced to circa 1 m - 1.5 m from 5 m,
- Undergo eutrophication,
- Lose aquaculture - prawns & shrimps,
- Loss of nautical sports,
- Have offensive & nauseating smell,
- Transmit waterborne diseases,
- Become a place for criminal activities,
- Lose much needed and scarce revenue.
Students measured water temperature, transparency, dissolved oxygen, pH and nitrate-nitrogen. They concluded that the very basic pH values and low dissolved oxygen values could support little life.
Through this research project, students have contributed to improving public awareness of the environmental and health problems associated with the lake. As a result, sanctions were placed on a hotel and real estate company. As well, the Cameroon Government and Yaounde Urban Council removed aquatic macrophages and solid environmental wastes.
Many congratulations for the students at LBA and Mr. George Nditifon!