THE INPUT OF CARTOGRAPHY IN THE REALISATION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT: CAREH IN BANDJOUN CHIEFDOM,

1Tchindjang, M., 2Nziengui, M., 4Geoffrey, F.K., 4Fogwe, Z.N., 5 Fodouop, K. and 6Lambi, C.M.

1University of Yaounde I, Department of Geography P.O. Box 30464, Yaounde Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] 2ENEF ADIE. PO Box 3960 Libreville Gabon. E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] 3University of Yaounde I. PO Box 755 Yaounde Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] 4University of , Department of Geography, PO Box 3132 Douala Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] 5University of Yaounde I PO Box 8297 Yaounde Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] 6University of Buea Faculty of social and Management sciences PO Box 63 Buea Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

“If there were no map, the world should have been a house with neither a window, nor a light”. This exclamation made by a sailor in 1906, says all with regards to the importance of cartography in our world today. In effect, ever since the invention of the map in the second century BC by forerunners like Pythagoras and Erastotheme, cartographic tools and techniques have continued to evolve exponentially and in a multidimensional manner such that it is difficult to conceive a sustainable human development project without using a map.

It is in this light that the conceptors of the project on Health and Adolescent Mutations of Bandjoun (264 km2) have sought to use the works of seasoned cartographers to put in place the required socio-sanitary structures. After a preliminary field survey, the cartographers did a careful and detailed zoning of this chiefdom into quarters. They obtained 51 big quarters (with 49 sub quarters) grouped into 12 socio- sanitary regions, each having large areas and high population densities. This sectioning permitted, amongst others a census of household of the various quarters and forecast the evolution of the population.

It emerge from the superposition of the maps of the population density in Bandjoun, to that of the distribution of socio- sanitary infrastructure, that the implantation (positioning) of the latter is closely related to the demographic weight of the different quarters of Bandjoun. The unequal distribution of hospitals and the intergraded major health centres, equally reveal the same disparities of demographic density and to factors of natural milieu. The east of the chiefdom that is bounded by a fault line escarpment has remained empty. The map of population density shows very clearly how the population is grouped along the major roads. This cartographic approach has therefore contributed to creation of the CAREH project of Bandjoun.

Keywords: Bandjoun, CAREH Project, cartographic approach, community health, socio-sanitary structures.

1. INTRODUCTION

Contemporary and complex world and regional issues are now more than ever before confronted with the need for a multidisciplinarity in the quest for solutions and even in the process of investigation. Current world issues find their complexity amplified by the ever-challenging spatial dimension. Such issues, à priori, require accurate and in-depth analyses with the application of cartographic techniques being the best geographical tools for the study of spatial phenomenon.

In 1995, the University of Montreal, Canada and the University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon in the scope of the project Health and Nutrition of Adolescents contacted us. The work that was requested consisted of producing and updating the cartography of Bandjoun Subdivision that could permit a population census by the agents of the project. The Bandjoun chiefdom is one of the biggest in the Bamileke region. It covers 264 km2 and with an average altitude of 1300m. The study region extends from 5°15’55’’ to 5°27’15’’N and 10°22’05’’ to 10°35’25’’E. This region that culminates at 1565m altitudes above sea level is a laterised basaltic plateau that is bordered in the east by a fault that is having a height of 200 to 300m (1). This steep escarpment overlooks the granitic peneplain of the river at 1021m.

Proceedings of the 21st International Cartographic Conference (ICC) Durban, South Africa, 10 – 16 August 2003 ‘Cartographic Renaissance’ Hosted by The International Cartographic Association (ICA) ISBN: 0-958-46093-0 Produced by: Document Transformation Technologies This work aims to show how cartography has permitted the creation of the CAREH Project and how it can also help in the achievement of other projects in the region. It would also permit us to use this work as a model for other densely populated areas (of the Bamileke region in particular, and Cameroon in general)

2. METHODOLOGY

The material that we used in order to carry out field survey was the topographic map of at 1/200000 scale, then others at Bafoussam 1d and Bafoussam 2c at 1/50000 and air photographs (1/20000). Using two compasses and two altimeters, we did a thorough field observation on foot for two weeks.

With regards to the method, our inquiry of 15 days on the field was based on the type of housing, the size of the household and the identification of the exact boundaries of the household not forgetting the breakdown of the study region into quarters on the field. We equally censused the socio-sanitary structures that exist such as hospitals, schools, dispensaries, cultural houses, etc. We used the population census of 1987 that we corrected (the coefficient of correction of 1987 was: urban = 1.088612 and rural = 1.093290). We equally made a projection of the population using the t formula Pt = Po (1+r/100) wherein Pt = present population, Po = previous population, r = growth rate, t = period of estimation. There are two methods of estimating population, a linear method and a geographic method (see below equation 2 and 3). We choose the geographic estimation method that is often using in Developing Countries because it is more expressive.

Laboratory work consisted of mounting the topographic map on the bases of the information collected on the field as well as the population densities that were obtained. In the first step, we did a manual cartography of Bandjoun in 2000, then we digitised the map, which we carried into MAPINFO. With the help of the population projection methods, we got the map of density of Bandjoun for 2000. In order to get the density we used the subdivisions and then the graph 1 paper using the formula s = (n + n )mm² (1). 2

3. OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

At the end of the fieldwork, we succeeded to break-up the Bandjoun chiefdom into 51 quarters and 49 smaller quarters or sub quarters (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Partition of Bandjoun Chiefdom into quarters The map of the population density of Bandjoun makes the following observations: • A differentiation of the population density as a function of the natural milieu. In effect, the east of Bandjoun especially after the great escarpment of the eastern part of the Bamileke region whose path corresponds with the channel of the river Noun is empty. This escarpment divides the whole Bandjoun into two unequal parts: one block in the west with densities between 35 and 1500inh/km2 and a block in the east that is empty having densities that are lower than 35inh/km². In all on the total 264 km² that the Bandjoun chiefdom has, 57.50% are settled upon being 151.800km² and 42.50% is left as arable land and forests. The population densities in the seven quarters that are touched by the escarpment are very low. Field observations revealed that the settled area is found either before or on the escarpment. Table 1 gives an overview of the overall population density and that of the settled area. We notice that the settled area in the quarters that are crossed by the escarpment varies from 6 to 30%, consequently, 70 to 94% of the area remains uninhabited

Table 1. Population density of the seven quarters crossed by the escarpment Quarter Total population Population density Settled area in Percentage of the 1987 of the settled area km². total area

BANGANG FONDJI 21.28 84.76 5.87 25.08 DJIONE 37.5 180 2.5 20.83 FOMAYOUM 11.03 91.8 3.36 12.00 LEMGO 49.53 161 4.0 30.76 SE NDEMBOM 82.08 275 2.0 29.85 TESSE 42.57 202.17 7.36 21.02 TOMHE II 14.88 221.33 1.50 06.72

• On the bases of the 1987 census, and after the breakdown of the quarters and the calculation of their area we observed 13 possible classes of density in 1997. (Table 2).

Table 2. The distribution of population in the Bandjoun Chiefdom

Density Density Quarter or small quarter class (inh/km².) 1 >1500 Pète 2 1250-1500 Ha, Mouwè, Tsecha 3 1000-1250 Soung-Djesse, Domlo, Mvou. 4 800-1000 Tseghem, Kouotse, Tseleng, Bapou, Hok. 5 600-800 Houa, DjelengIII, Djeleng I, Topo, Dja, Veulè 6 500-600 MbiengI, MbiengII, Kayo, Toba, Ndem Mbeng Djesse, Djioguè, Djopa, Kouo-Mbieng. 7 400-500 Kamngo, YomII-Nguikè, Kafam, Djozo, Tokouo, Katsela. 8 300-400 Fonegom, Maguè, FamlaI, Mbemtum, Tosse, Famleng, Kang, Totsela, Ndenbou, Kakouo, MbouoI, YomV. 9 200-300 Tsehgo, Tomlem, YomIV, Magom, Msabue, Demtse, Kamdjoung, Ntienki, Lemla, Sekakouo, Famnwe, Dem Woh, Ndembom, Ndemdeng, Djangue. 10 100-200 Tseso, Mbing, Njiko,, Djiongwo, Famtoum, DjengueII, Ntem, TomhèI. 11 50-100 Djeleng II, Yom III, Sè Ndembom, Moutcha, MbouoII. 12 30-50 Djione, Lemgo, Tessè. 13 <30 TomhèII, Fomayoum, Bangang-Fondji.

This disparity in the density as compared to the density of the rest of Cameroon and the rest of the High Lava Plateau of West Cameroon shows that the provincial average of 148.9735 hts/km² is largely overturned in the small divisional towns that are in full expansion This is the case of the town of Pete which is the centre and the headquarters of Bandjoun which has become the Divisional capital ever since the Administrative Reorganisation of 1993 and which today has a population of more than 2000 hts/km² (Table 3 and Figures 2 and 3). Figure 2. Population densities of Bandjoun Chiefton 2000

Table 3. The population densities of the Divisions of the Bamileke region Division Area in Population Density in Population** Population km². in 1987 1987 estimate for 2000 Density in 2000

Bamboutos 1170 215 523 184.2 337 068 288.09 Haut-Nkam 960 137 389 143.1 196 276 204.92 Hauts-Plateaux 415 79 369 191.25 122 579 295.37 Koung-Khi 353 76 391 216.4 117 980 334.22 1380 251 626 182.3 333 900 241.95 402 202 193 503 312 272 776.79 Ndé 1520 83 588 54.9 108 129 71.13 Bamileke Total 6200 1 046 066 168.72 155 5108 250.82 Noun 7690 293 725 38.1 514 099 66.85 Total for West 13 890 1 339 791 96.4 2 069 207 148.97 Province **Must we remind you again that there are two methods (linear and geographic) of population estimation? But we choose the geographic estimate method, which is more expressive for developing countries. The two formulas are below:

Po (rt + 2) 2(Pt − Po ) Linear estimate method: pt = with r = (2). 2 − rt t(Pt + Po )

t Pt −1 Geographic estimate method: Pt = Po ()1+ r /100 with r = t (3). Po

The population is concentrated along the major highways (RN3 and RN4) with densities that are higher than 500 inh/km2. The superposition of the map of density to that of the population of Bandjoun as well as that of the distribution of the socio-sanitary infrastructure reveals that the putting in place of this infrastructure is directly related to the demographic weight of each quarter. In this light the region can be broken up into 12 socio-sanitary regions (Table 4, Figure 4) that are based on the size of the quarters, the households, the population density and the natural milieu. Figure 3. Population densities in Cameroon and West Cameroon

Table 4. Quarters and sub quarters of the Bandjoun Chiefdom with the Population Density in 2000 Name of Quarter Area in km2 Density in inh/ km2 Name of small quarter Density in inh/ km2 Sociosanitary region No 1 : DJA Area = 21.15 km2 Density = 7.7.40 inh/ km2 Dja 2 1034 Hiala 2.25 1419.45 Tseleng 1145.66 Tsecha 1693.23 Mbemtum 5.68 339.13 Mbemtum 433.71 Djangue 398.76 DjengueII 184.94 Ndem Mbeng 1.5 694.6 Houa 2.37 915 Tokouo 1.5 546.6 Sekakouo 3.62 430.44 Kakouo 531.63 Sekakouo 329.24 Dem Woh 2.25 280 Sociosanitary region No 2 : DJIOMGHOUO : Area = 7.7 km2 Density = 1227 inh/ km Djiomghouo 4.75 585 Demtse 320.21 Kouotse 1209.4 Kang 411.11 Djesse 1.93 1111 Soung Djesse 1487.82 Djesse Famwum 707.7 Mouwe 1.0 1984 Sociosanitary region No 3 : SENDEMBOM Area = 8.45 km2 Density = 301.5 inh/ km Fonegom 1.75 493 Se Ndembom 6.70 110 Sociosanitary region No 4 : NDENDENG Area = 17.95 km2 Density = 619.43 inh/ km Veulè 3.87 657.67 Veulè 833.94 Ndemdeng 481.4 Ndembom 2.68 339 Mague 2.87 410 Table 4. continued Mvou 3.00 981.39 Mvou 1371.79 Kafam 590.99 Bapou 1.25 1151 FamlaI 1.25 528 Famnwe 3.00 269 Sociosanitary region No 5 : YOM Area = 20.05 km2 Density = 619.43 inh/ km Yom 4.56 420 Yom-Nguikè 545.21 Yom IV 307.7 YomV 531.17 Mbouo 4.75 375 MbouoI 532.5 MbouoII 234 Mbieng 4.375 735 Mbieng I 699.44 MbiengII 756.87 Magom 1.75 337 Djeleng 4.625 509 Djeleng I 932.7 Djeleng II 83.34 Deleng III 840.61 Tomlem 365.21 Sociosanitary region No 6 : FAMLENG Area = 8.88 km2 Density = 538 inh/ km Famleng 8.88 538 Tsesso 262.64 Djoguè 753.24 Djozo 584.84 Msabue 271 Topo 1047.11 Tosse 479.14 Kouo-Mbieng 775.6 Famleng 408.35 Sociosanitary region No 7 : DJA Area =54.90 km2 Density = 377 inh/ km Tesse 35.001 57 Toba 2.5 675.6 Tsehgo 2.75 354 Kayo 1.75 730 Lemgo 13.002 66 Sociosanitary region No 8 : HA Area = 21 km2 Density = 887 inh/ km Ha 1.25 1933 Domlo 0.75 1370 Kamngo 3.875 567 Lemla 1.00 316 Kalem 281.16 Tolem 350.84 Tseghem 1.5625 1217 Katseghem 1243.7 Totseghem 1188.6 Djopa 0.62 695 Djione 12 50 Sociosanitary region No 9 : PETE Area = 2.81 km2 Density = 2275 inh/ km Pète 2.81 2275 Sociosanitary region No 10 : BANGANG-FONDJI Area = 30.05 km2 Density = 109.5 inh/ km Bangang-Fondji 23.40 28.5 Moutcha 4.75 137 Djiongwo 2.37 163 Sociosanitary region No 11: FAMLA II or MOUDJO Area = 59.77 km2 Density = 131 inh/ km Famla II 26.32 69.8 Hok 1198 Ntem 214.46 TomheI 226 TomheII 20.52 Mbing 2.37 156.9 Famtoum 1.625 192.6 Fomayoum 28.01 14.7 Njiko 1.75 220 Table 4. continued Sociosanitary region No 12 : TSELA Area = 11.378 km2 Density = 460 inh/ km Katsela 2.5 562.4 Katsela 660.1 Tsela 172 Totsela 2.5 492 Ntienki 4.378 389 Kamdjoung 270.81 Ndenbou 433 Houopouo 2 396.5

Figure 4. Bandjoun Chiefdom socio – sanitary regions

4. CONCLUSION

The breakdown and the eventual classification of the Bandjoun chiefdom into socio-sanitary regions were initially aimed at easing any eventual census of the population for the project. It also aimed at bringing the population to their health centres and to facilitate their accessibility to it as a function of the state of the roads. For example, a patient that leaves Houa (Figure 4), has three possible directions to obtain medical attention (either to Pete, Ha or to Dja ).While that of Lemgo or of Kamngo can go either to Ha or to Tessè. Nevertheless, apart of the vast quarters at the periphery of the escarpment, the distances are short and fall between 500 and 1500m from one point to the other.

Consequently this type of cartographic tools facilitates the execution of projects for human and sustainable development. It is equally useful in forecasts and the mitigation of the spontaneous urban sprawl that is taking place in the region. As a matter of fact, only 12km separate Bandjoun from the West provincial capital of Bafoussam that ranks among the top five towns of Cameroon. It is only but logical that the Ministry of Town Affairs, should in the scope of future urban planning endeavour to make Bandjoun be either a new town or a satellite of Bafoussam so as to curb its sprawl unto the countryside.

Finally, this preliminary cartography that we have done by breaking up the quarters has permitted the launching of the CAREH (Children and Adolescent Reproduction and Health Program), project of Bandjoun in 2002 that is largely centred on the study of the sexual habits of adolescents. By extension thereof, a reproductive model could be built for other chiefdoms or even for Cameroon as a whole, using the case study of this chiefdom that is the most densely populated of the Western Highlands and Black Africa (2). It is an impending necessity to use such a cartographic tool in the creation of new roads in this subdivision. It can permit any area to carry out well-reasoned and rational development as well as the demographic increase of other chiefdoms. Such cartographic tools are useful to understand and control the impacts of demographic growth in the landscape dynamic of such densely populated area (3). For, if one compares the population growth frequency of 1987 and 2000 (Figure 5), we observed that there was a high concentration of population between 200-600inh/km² classes. But in 2000, the graph shows two concentration peaks: the first one between 400-800inh/km² and a slight high concentration at 1000-1400inh/km². So the trend shows a great tendency of the chiefdom to become a nucleated densely populated area in Cameroon.

Figure 5. Bandjoun densities frequency (1987 – 2000)

5. REFERENCES

[1] M. Tchindjang, The Central Bamileke plateau and its surrounds. Regional morphology and slopes dynamic. Geomorphologic study. Published New Regime Thesis; University of Paris VII, 3 vol. 144 Figure 65 tab., 65 photos, 867p, (1996). [2] G. Faha Kamdem, Socio-spatial transformations and dynamic of milieus in the heart of Western Cameroon Highlands. Theorical and empirical sketch. Master of science thesis, University of Yaounde I, 100 p, (2002). [3] G. Faha Kamdem, Landscape dynamic in a densely populated zone: the case of Bandjoun. Master memoir, University de Yaounde I, 129 p, (1999). THE INPUT OF CARTOGRAPHY IN THE REALISATION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT: CAREH IN BANDJOUN CHIEFDOM, CAMEROON

1Tchindjang, M., 2Nziengui, M., 4Geoffrey, F.K., 4Fogwe, Z.N., 5 Fodouop, K. and 6Lambi, C.M.

1University of Yaounde I, Department of Geography P.O. Box 30464, Yaounde Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] 2ENEF ADIE. PO Box 3960 Libreville Gabon. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] 3University of Yaounde I. PO Box 755 Yaounde Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] 4University of Douala, Department of Geography, PO Box 3132 Douala Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] 5University of Yaounde I PO Box 8297 Yaounde Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] 6University of Buea Faculty of social and Management sciences PO Box 63 Buea Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected]

Biography of Dr Mesmin Tchindjang

Dr Tchindjang was born in Douala Cameroon on August 26, 1961. I am married.

I defend a Doctorate Thesis “New Regime” in France, University of Paris 7 in 1996 in Geomorphology. The thesis untitled “The Central Bamileke Plateau and its surrounds: Regional morphology and slopes dynamic. Geomorphologic study’’ dealed with Relief, Surface dynamic and Natural Risks.

I am a Senior Lecturer in University of Yaounde I Cameroon, Department of Geography.

As experiences, I am the General Secretary of The National Geography Committee of Cameroon. I am training now in University Omar Bongo (Gabon) for a Master of Sciences in GIS domain (Methods and Techniques of Management of Environmental Information).

My teaching domains in University of Yaounde concern: Geomorphology, Cartography and Remote Sensing, Environment, Tourism and Eco tourism.

I have published more than 12 scientific articles focussed on: The weathered pebble of the Bamileke plateau, The geological rock strata in Cameroon, Mining Sand exploitation on the Pan African granite rock of Batie Region, Central Bamileke maars, inundation risks in the Lake Nyos Valley, Erosion and Dissolution potholes on the Lake Nyos pyroclastic dam, Lake Nyos Dam: an imminent catastrophe.

I attend the IGU Regional Conference of August 2002 in Durban with 3 communications based on tourism (Cameroon, a country with a touristic potential under exploited); on eco-tourism (The difficulty of the development eco tourism on protected areas of Cameroon) and Geomorphology (The geomorphic risks in the West Cameroon region: a challenge for the 21st Century).

Finally, I supervised (students research works) almost 9 Master of Sciences thesis in Geomorphology, Management of natural and touristic resources, Environment with tourism and Eco tourism, Farming transformation in West Cameroon, Sustainable Management of Fauna specimen (CITES Case) in Cameroon, Inundation and risks linked with shallow’s occupation in Yaounde town, Remote sensing and ecological prospect of biodiversity on Cameroon Mountains after 1999-2000 eruptions.