THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF MEDICINAL-PLANTS IN CAMEROON - THE CASE OF PRUNUS-AFRICANA ON MOUNT CAMEROON

Before the beginning of its large scale exploitation by a European pha rmaceutical company in 1972, the tree species Prunus africana was know n in Cameroon only for traditional uses. The present exploitation may lead to its extinction on Mount Cameroon. This paper explains the dest ruction of P. africana within the current regulatory framework and rec ommends stricter compliance with the regulations, which would guarante e survival of this species in the wild. Field observations are also pr esented.