There used to exist a strong ecological harmony between man and its environment but with increasing globalization of the African economy in general and Cameroon’s economy in particular, this symbiotic relationship has increasingly been threatened, as the economy incurs both huge social and environmental cost.
Using Cameroon as an example this research identifies logging as one of the most sensitive issues and assesses the role played by environmental NGOs in the fight against this issue.
In order to support NGOs role on this issue, theories such as civil society as the “public sphere”, Edwards (2004), “market failure/government failure” theory, (Weisbrod 1977) and functionalist theory (B. Hess, E.W.Markson, P. J.Stein, 1985) are reviewed to entertain the debate.
The research goes further to present and over view of NGOs in Cameroon by focusing especially on the legal procedure surrounding their existence.
In order to clearly show the role that environmental NGOs play in the fight against logging in Cameroon, this study has chosen Centre for Environmental Development (CED), which is one of the most active environmental NGO in Cameroon as a case to analyze the contributions that were made by environmental NGOs in the fight against logging in Cameroon.
Finally, as a recommendation to the Cameroonian society, the study principally suggests that if appropriate legislation for NGOs can be obtained in Cameroon, then they would constitute an ultimate strategy in the struggle to protect the remaining forest from disappearing.
