Water Resources Exploitation Practices and Challenges: The Case of River Meme, Cameroon

Abstract

The exploitation of water resources, an aged old practice, continue to attract significant research and policy attention. For the most part, this subject has eluded geographical literature in the context of the River Meme. We contribute to provide empirical evidence, by exploring water resource exploitation practices, challenges and implications, taking the case of four exploitation sites in Mbonge. The study employed a random sample of 270 respondents drawn from four study communities, complemented by interviews. The data were analysed descriptively and inferentially, using the ANOVA. The results reveal that three resources were identified as key to include sand, fish and domestic water. The study further revealed that the exploitation of the resources of River Meme is important for socio-economic development, the provision of sand to construct local and modern structures, the creation of employment, and the provision of household income. Key exploitation challenges include inadequate capital, poor management approaches, the use of rudimentary tools, and conflict among others. The study concludes that, as a result of the challenges faced in the exploitation of water resources, River Meme should be developed as a recreational site – this will serve as a source of income generation to the local population.