16 



Mr. Marlenee. I will be brief. I will just submit the paper. 



Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. I am easily stimulated. No problem. 



Thank you so much, Congressman. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Marlenee appears in the appen- 

 dix.] 



Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. And now, we are pleased to present Mr. 

 Nsanjama. 



STATEMENT OF MR. HENRI NSANJAMA, VICE PRESIDENT, 

 AFRICA/MADAGASCAR PROGRAM, WORLJ) WILDLIFE FUND 



Mr. Nsanjama. Thank you. Madam Chairperson. 



Yesterday afternoon, I submitted written testimony. But after 

 the submission, I discovered a couple of mistakes, which I have 

 now corrected. And I would like to submit that. 



Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. We would be glad to do so. Thank you. 



Mr. Nsanjama. I would like to begin my presentation by thank- 

 ing you, Madam Chairperson, for calling this hearing. As the U.S. 

 Government redefines its role in international development policy, 

 the question of Africa's ecology is indeed timely. 



Since my organization's primary mission is conservation of spe- 

 cies and critical habitats, my principal focus as I come before this 

 subcommittee is to encourage your support for conservation and de- 

 velopment programs in Africa funded by the U.S. Government. 



The biological diversity found in Aft-ica includes the greatest di- 

 versity of plant and animal species of any biogeographical region. 

 In many cases, the African flora and fauna are completely distinct 

 and truly spectacular. There are three major categories of 

 ecosystems in Africa; savannas, tropical forests, and the montane 

 forests. 



Each ecosystem is crucial to the ecology of the continent, to the 

 continent's inhabitants, and U.S. policy toward Africa. 



Africa is perhaps best known for its savannas, such as the 

 Serengeti in Tanzania. The savanna ecosystem is better developed 

 and more extensive in Africa than anywhere else in the tropics. 

 The savanna has the widest range of potential for domesticated 

 animals, and the greatest diversity of agricultural flora from which 

 to select future crops. 



The tropical forests of Africa are of major global importance. Of 

 all ecosystems in Africa, they contain the greatest number of spe- 

 cies including plants for valuable drugs and edible fruits. Examples 

 of important species include the Anceistocladus korupensis found in 

 the Korup National Park in Cameroon, which is known to kill the 

 AIDS virus, and is currently under extensive research as a cure for 

 the disease. Prunus africana, also a plant from Cameroon, is one 

 of the best treatments for prostrate cancer. 



African montane forests also serve a vital function for human 

 needs by protecting watersheds and water supplies to the lowland 

 areas. Montane forests also protect spectacular and interesting 

 fauna and flora, including mountain gorillas, golden moles, and 

 giant alpine plants. 



Ecotourism in Rwanda, which is basically mountain gorilla view- 

 ing, is the third highest source of hard currency for that coimtry 

 after tea and coffee respectively. The viability of Africa's rich and 

 valuable biological resource is mcreasingly threatened in all three 



