River Nyong which cuts across four regions in Cameroon including the East, Centre, Littoral, and South regions stretching roughly 640 to 690 kilometers from its source to the Atlantic Ocean is more than a waterway. For communities in Akonolinga, it is a source of food, income and identity. Its waters support daily activities as people use it for drinking, fishing, sand mining, grazing and touristic activities.
All these activities along the river are raising concerns about its future, the availability of Kanga fish which is the identity of the people and the well-being of communities that depend on it.
“We have seen the water station picking the water then releasing their waste into the water and all these represent a hot spot of one health in Akonolinga and question whether water consume is still possible” Dr. Stephanie Mvodo, a researcher who has been studying the Nyong River for six years comments.
In Akonolinga, the river is part of the landscape and the rhythm of everyday life. People come to its banks for different reasons — to earn a living, access water, fish or carry out household activities.
For some residents, the river’s significance is best represented by Kanga, scientifically known as Heterotis niloticus. The fish is a familiar delicacy and an important part of local food culture.
But Kanga means more than food. It represents livelihoods, tradition and a relationship between the community and the river that has developed over generations.
“The Kanga and Akonolinga are interrelated, Kanga is a mystical fish which arrives here in the sixtheis but before the arrival of Kanga we had other fish but its arrival has created more source of food for families”. Akamba Assembe Pierre-Geroge, the Mayor of AKonolinga talks about Akanga.
According to Mayor Pierre-Geroge, they are scared of losing Kanga fish which is their identity and calls on all competent stakeholders to unite against the disappearance of Kanga fish.
“The problem we have not is that we fear the disappearance of Kanga which we pray should not happen but if it does it will cause Akonolinga to look for another fish which is not evident so to avoid this we are calling on all competent authorities to come together to ensure that the Kanga fish does not disappear”.
The changing scenes along the Nyong invite reflection on the relationship between people and the river. An old boat rests along its banks, while aquatic vegetation occupies parts of the water.
For communities that depend on the river, changes in its condition are more than environmental observations. They can affect access, livelihoods and the resources available to households.
One of the visible features along some stretches of the river is water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant that can spread rapidly and interfere with water use, fishing and navigation.
Some experts’ views hold that the Kanga fish is dropping because of the cattle raring the dropping of cows goes into the river which affects the fingerlings of Kanga fish.
Its presence also creates an environment in which different activities, including animal grazing, take place close to the water. These interactions illustrate how environmental conditions, animal health and human activities are connected.
Sand extraction is another activity along the Nyong. For workers involved, it provides an important source of income and supports local economic activity.
“We are hear because we are tying to take care of our family, administration get their money and we do get our money” Medze Eric Olivie, the head of a sand mining site stated.
According to Olivier, the people are constantly in contact with the Nyong River are exposed to a disease called Buruli Ulcer, a condition which attacks the skin. “When you are here in Akonolinga, some kind of thing called Buruli Ulcer affect you, it starts small but it can end up cutting your hand”.
The situation of Esomba bring at the Akonolinga District Hospital brings a human dimension to the environmental story of Nyong River. A patient receiving treatment for Buruli ulcer sits with both legs bandaged and crutches beside him. His experience offers a glimpse into the health challenges faced by people in the community.
“Buruli Ulcer is a pathology that is practically permanent in all the villages that border the Nyong River. Burul Ulcer is a chronic ulcerative wound that are disabling” Doctor Biwole Onana Wilfred, the Director of the Akonolinga District Medical Hospital remarks.
The interaction between humans, the environment and animals form the thinking of one health which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health.
Addressing the pressures on the Nyong therefore calls for collaboration. Communities, local authorities, environmental specialists, health professionals and other stakeholders all have a role to play in understanding the challenges and identifying sustainable solutions.
“What we have to is to come together, work for the one health. We don’t need to be global, we do no need to be local, but we need to be glocal; thinking globally, keeping our local context in mind” Dr. Stephanie Mvodo.
But its future cannot be taken for granted.
Protecting the river means protecting more than water. It means safeguarding food sources, livelihoods, biodiversity and the wellbeing of communities whose lives are intertwined with it.
The cry of the Nyong may be silent, but the questions it raises deserve to be heard.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Boris-Kaloff Batata is a Cameroonian media and communication professional, documentary photographer and visual storyteller. His work focuses on environmental change, humanitarian issues, human rights and community experiences. Through photography, radio and documentary storytelling, he seeks to bring overlooked stories and the people behind them into public attention.
Photography and story by Boris-Kaloff Batata.
