Noumbissi Tenku, CEO, ECO Relief
Women pose with environment friendly stoves after a sensitization workshop in Mile 16, Cameroon.
By Ngalame Elias
In the fight against deforestation and climate change, one man’s vision is transforming rural communities in Cameroon. Noumbissi Tenku, a Cameroonian and the Executive Director of Eco Relief, based in Sweden, has emerged as a leader in natural resource conservation and climate action, championing solutions that empower communities while safeguarding the environment and protecting water resources.
Eco Relief, under his guidance, has announced a new project to train women in the town of Bangem to produce cooking pellets from dry corn plants—an agricultural waste product. This initiative builds on Tenku’s pioneering work, which first gained global recognition through his award-winning short film, An Eye Opener for Alternative Source of Fuel.
The film, which won the Best Energy Film award at the 2016 Vaasa International Wildlife Film Festival in Finland, showcased how rural communities can convert agricultural waste into eco-friendly cooking fuel. The initiative not only addresses the pressing issue of deforestation but also offers an affordable, sustainable alternative to traditional wood fuel.
*A Leader in Climate Change and Conservation*
As a climate change and conservation leader, Tenku has consistently pushed the boundaries of grassroots innovation. His work has earned him widespread acclaim and support from international organizations, including the Rufford Foundation, Bat Conservation International, and the Mohammed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. These partnerships have enabled Eco Relief to implement impactful conservation projects across Cameroon, focusing on forest restoration, species protection, and community-driven climate adaptation.
“Grassroots solutions are the bedrock of effective climate change adaptation,” Tenku said. “When communities are equipped with the tools and knowledge to solve their own challenges, they become the most powerful force for sustainable change.”
*The Bangem Initiative*
The upcoming project in Bangem follows the successful training of 75 women in Lysoka in January 2024, who were taught to produce cooking pellets from agricultural waste. This new training, scheduled for January 10th, 2025, has been strategically planned to coincide with the corn harvesting season when dry corn stalks will be in abundance. This timing ensures that the women have easy access to the raw materials necessary for pellet production, making the initiative even more sustainable and effective.
This training will equip the women in Bangem with the skills needed to create cooking pellets, enabling them to generate sustainable livelihoods. The benefits of this training extend far beyond financial independence:
*_1. Environmental and Water Resource Protection:_* By reducing reliance on wood fuel, the initiative will help curb deforestation and protect vital local ecosystems, including forests around major streams, wetlands, and water catchments. This will safeguard critical groundwater and water sources, ensuring the long-term health of these essential natural resources.
*_2. Health Benefits:_* Cleaner cooking methods mean fewer respiratory illnesses caused by indoor air pollution.
*_3. Economic Empowerment:_* Pellet production provides women with a steady income, fostering financial security and independence.
*_4. Community Resilience:_* Women trained by Eco Relief will become sustainability ambassadors, spreading the benefits of these practices throughout their communities.
The program aligns with Eco Relief’s broader mission to leverage local knowledge and innovation to tackle global environmental issues.
*A Global Vision with Local Roots*
Eco Relief’s impact is rooted in Tenku’s belief that communities are the key to effective conservation. From training farmers in reforestation to protecting critically endangered species, the organization has consistently demonstrated how small-scale interventions can yield large-scale results.
The Bangem project is a natural extension of this vision, reflecting Tenku’s unwavering commitment to climate action and community development. “This is not just about protecting forests—it’s about securing a sustainable future for the people who depend on them,” he said
