The Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve (RHFR) is located at latitude 4°51′26″ N and longitude 9°07′15″ E in Ndian division, South West Region of Cameroon.The reserve was originally created in 1941. It was Previously known as the Rumpi Hills Native Administration Forest Reserve, it was created by Forestry Ordinance No 38 of 1937 and approved by Forestry Ordinance No 16756/79 of 2 July 1941.The Northern boundary is the road from Lipenja Mukete through Ikoi and Dikome Ngolo to Madie. The Southern boundary goes through Nalende, Monyange, Itoki and Ilor to Moko. Meanwhile, the Eastern boundary goes through Dikome Balue, Mofako, Itende to Bisoro. Finally, the West boundary goes through Dibonda and Ndian and Ituka to Lipenja which is also the starting point of the reserve.The reserve is composed of land belonging to the Ngolo, Bima and Balue tribes, the first two form part of the North West while the latter, forms part of the South East area. Most of the villages are on top of the hills, so that, a more or less vertical climb of anything up to 400 meters has to be faced before reaching a village or settlement.

           Fauna and Flora
Given that the Rumpi Forest Reserve varies in terms of heights above sea level with its highest point Rata Mountain tipping at 1800 m, there is some diversity in terms of vegetation. For example, along with an elevation gradient between 900–1800 m consists of an extension of sub-montane forests. In general, the forests are mixed but dominated by Caesalpinioid legumes. Trees may reach heights of 35m with a canopy and foliage cover ranging from 60% to 90%. The canopy is usually full of climbers and the cloud forests appearance is as a result of the ever-present epiphytes. This diverse landscape of the Rumpi Forest Reserve supports habitats for a wide range of animals some of which are endemic. Over 198 bird species have been identified, including the endangered white-throated mountain-babbler (Kupeornis gilberti), whitenecked pigeon (Columba albinucha) and green-breasted bush-shrike (Malaconotus gladiator). Additionally, many tropical montane mammal, reptile and amphibian species such as the endangered Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), Forest shrew (Myosorex rumpii), Porcupine (Hystrix cristata) and Hairy frog (Trichobatrachus robustus) have been identified.

  The Rumpi Forest Reserve play a critical role in climate change. It is both a cause and a solution.

A) The Rumpi forests as a cause of climate change

Deforestation:
  When the Rumpi Forest Hills Forest Reserve is cleared for land uses, such as agriculture or development like is the case, the carbon stored in the trees and soil is released into the atmosphere. Globally, deforestation accounts for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Forest degradation:
Forest degradation occurs when forest ecosystems lose their capacity to provide important goods and services to people and nature. The consistent damaged or disturbance caused by farmers, hunters involved in logging and sometimes the cause wildfire in the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve has forced the for forest to release carbon into the atmosphere, even if they are not cleared. 

B) Forests as a solution to climate change

Carbon sink:
   Trees in the Rumpi Forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. This helps to mitigate climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Cooling effect:
   The Rumpi Forest release water vapor into the atmosphere, which help to cool the planet. The Rumpi Hills is a very cold place. Thanks to the forest

Other benefits:
  The Rumpi Forest Reserve provide a host of other benefits that help to mitigate climate change such as reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and providing habitat for wildlife.

C) Climate change impacts on the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve

Climate change is already having a significant impact on the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve. Unlike before, the villages of the Rumpi Forest Reserve are becoming warmer with high temperatures, more extreme weather events and changes in precipitation patterns are  stressing the forest reserve and making it more vulnerable to pests and diseases.

D) What can be done?

There are a number of things that can be done to protect forests and mitigate climate change:

I) Reduce deforestation and forest degradation:
 The Government of cameroon came up with policies to preserve the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve in order to prevent logging, hunting, deforestation and farming. This initiative  support the sustainable management and reduction of demand for forest products in the Rumpi Forest Reserve

II) Protect the existing forest Reserve
The Government need to enforce the laws on  protected forest areas in order to effectively manage the Rumpi forest sustainably.

III) Restore some degraded parts of the reserve forest :
This can be done by planting trees. This would go a long way in restoring the forest ecosystems of RHFR.

III) Support sustainable forest-based livelihoods:
    The Rumpi Forest Reserve is only sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses, shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while not undermining the natural resource base. This help in reducing poverty and deforestation.
Conclusively, the Rumpi Forest Reserve is essential for mitigating climate change. By protecting and restoring the Rumpi forest, we  help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable future for our children and unborn children.

Reference; Researchgate.net, 25/9/2023
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