By: Haruna Kuyateh
Rural communities have been praised for their commitment in protecting the forests from exploitation.
This praises come during a monitoring tour led by Sustainable Land Management and supported by FAO Dryland Forest Management practices in the North Bank Region.
Ousainou Cham, Principal Regional Forestry Officer for North Bank Region highlighted the significance role communities’ play to sustain participatory forest management through promoting community forest.
He described the support and commitment demonstrated by communities to restore the forest cover as very important.
Sambou Nget, Project Manager for Dryland Forest Management at FAO, expressed delight at the importance roles of the National Consulting NACO for building strong partnership with Sustainable Dryland Forest Management Committee in promoting sustainable forest management and protection.
He called for effective reporting mechanism to Regional Technical Advisory Committee to ensure sustainability of forest management.
Alkali Jarjusey of NACO thanks FAO for the partnership and noted that supporting the communities of Dippa Kunda Fula and Bassick with bee hives for sustainable economic activity.
Pierre Colley Focal Point SLMP at Regional Forestry Office expressed delight on the high level of community participation and involvement in forest protection and preservation. He hailed the communities of Yallal Tankonjala and Jumansarba for their commitment for promoting community forest.
The focal point lauded Chamen Bai Dam of Lower Nuimi for raising over 7000 indigenous species through NEMA P2RS project Forest Restoration, Establishment of Community Based Nursery and Capacity Development on Forest and Farm Management.
The chairman of Chamen Bai Dam Village Development Committee VDC in Lower Nuimi applauded Department of Forestry for building the capacity of forest management on important of Community Forest and its impact on the lives of rural dwellers.
Amat Cham, Modou Sowe Nursery Attendant at Chamen Community Based Nursery, Lamin Jammeh Assistant RFO and AlagieFofana, station officer at Farafenni Fire and Rescue Station all made remarks at the event.