The Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Natural Resources recently organized nationwide consultations and handing over of forest parks to various communities across the country under the ecosystem-based adaptation project.
The project aims to restore degraded forests and agricultural landscapes of the country to build climate resilience of rural communities whose livelihoods are threatened by climate change.
A delegation led by the minister of environment Lamin Dibba visited various community forest parks that were part of the EBA project intervention areas.
The interventions availed local communities gain ownership over the following community forest parks Katamina, Sambang in CRR, Jambang Wally, Saba and Noo Kunda in the NBR.
Minister Dibba urged relevant communities managing forest parks to abide by the rules and regulations to gain community ownership.
He warned against vices of deforestation and recurrent bush fires, saying the government has realised that community forest management is cardinal in the mitigation of deforestation and forest degradation, which is posing concerns about loss of biodiversity among others.
Minister Dibba called on the community forest villages to continue anti bush fire campaigns through their respective Village Development Committees to ensure community participation.
He further urged communities to continue working harder and engage youths to benefit from forest products such as beekeeping and forest enterprise management.
The Governor of North Bank Region, Ebrima K Dampha said protection of community forest parks is key to development of the region.
He added that local communities across the region are aware of the consequences of deforestation.
“Empowering communities to protect the environment and management of forest parks are important to enhance food security,” governor Dampha added.
The Governor of Central River Region, Sheriff Abba Sanyang highlighted that reforestation and providing seedlings to farmers and planting trees to maintain the ecosystem will enhance national food security.
He advised various village communities to follow procedures of the department of forestry in order to gain ownership of their forest parks.
A similar meeting held in URR, the Governor applauded EBA project for successful intervention by engaging the governor’s office in any project activities.
