GPS helps pygmies defend forest (BBC)

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By Fergal Keane
BBC News, Cameroon

Here in Cameroon, we have seen evidence of illegal logging and encroachment by big logging companies into community forest.

But this is where Dr Lewis and a coalition of allies come into play.

The UK-based software company Helveta and Forest People's Programme, along with the Cameroonian group Centre for Environment and Development (CED), are working with Dr Lewis to pioneer the use of hand-held computers among the Baka pygmies.

Now, when Alamba and his fellow villagers go into the forest to hunt and gather, they carry a GPS - Global Positioning System - on which they can record the exact location of their hunting grounds, sacred trees and important rivers.

See how GPS works

"Before, if somebody wanted to come in and chop down one of their trees there was no record, no proof that it ever existed on their lands. Now we have the proof," explains Dr Lewis.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7218078.stm

Memo to self: Remember in future to object to the use of "pygmy" as an epithet.

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1. YOWZA!

That's so cool.