The Governor of North Bank Region is seeking the restoration of a “lost forest cover” and disappearing vegetation by embarking on planting exercise of indigenous and utility trees.
He said restoration of the cover was a compelling demand.
Governor Ebrima Dampha made the statement at the fourth annual tree planting and cleansing exercise organised by the National Environment Agency and Kani Kunda Tenda Youth and Social Development Association (KTYSDA).It was held in Sanjally village, North.
Governor Dampha started the exercise by planting the first mahogany seedling. He was followed by the village alkalo.
Staffers of the Forestry Department gave technical support at the event which was interspersed with traditional drumming and dancing by visiting traditional entertaining group from Jarra Pakalinding.
The governor commended the community and implored them to safeguard the forest for the benefit of the region.
He assured support to the association and urged them to improve the region’s tree population and told them to take ownership of their own development.
According to the village alkalo, Lamin Naban, their local institutional by-laws helped them a lot in their conservation schemes, and the understanding of the habitants led to the devising of an integrated approach to curb some local menaces.
NEA programme officer for Environmental Education and Communication, Sheikh Alkinky Sanyang, advised that the transplanted seedlings must be protected from human and animal intrusion.
He said the felling of trees for charcoal production, forest fires and other unsustainable use of forest resources contribute greatly to climate change which affects human livelihood.
He warned the community that the ban on plastic bags usage still holds and that soon there will be a massive campaign and enforcement and those found wanting, will be dealt with accordingly.
“Plastic causes a lot of harm to human health, marine lives, environment, agriculture, animals. This is as a result of the two toxic chemicals, dioxin and furan, that are used in the production of plastic bags and these two chemicals are among the twelve chemicals called persistent organic pollutants (POPs)which were banned globally due to their impact on human health and the environment.
In what was his farewell speech, the association`s outgoing President Lamin Saidy, said the main aim of these activities is to foster more collaboration and corporation amongst community members and bring development to their dear village.
He said the exercise will mitigate climate change effects by increasing carbon print contribution.
