By: Haruna Kuyateh
4H Gambia, a local NGO has received fund from EU Global Climate Change Alliance + Climate Resilient Coastal and Marine Zone Project for the Gambia.
The zone project for The Gambia is dubbed as protects and enhance reforestation in Dobo Forest Park and Enhance Community Participation in the Management.
The one year project will be implemented at Dobo Forest Park in Central Badibou District in North Bank Region.
The project target 8 communities surrounding the park to ensure proper management towards the restoration and conservation of forest cover. GCCA+ Climate Resilient Coastal and Marine Zone Management is coordinated by National Environment Agency (NEA) and the project help NGOs to access funds to mitigate the effects of climate change and address coastal marine resources.
Alieu Ceesay National Director 4H Gambia lauded EU through Global Climate Change Alliance GCAA+ for the partnership, noting the agency attaches great importance to environmental protection and in particular the restoration and protection of Dobo Park that was gazetted in 1976.
The Director was speaking to The Voice Newspaper in Farafenni as the NGO rolled out the project aimed at harnessing the capacity of joint forest park management to protect 700ha woodland.
He said the project has three objectives and includes enhancing reforestation in Dobo Forest Park and promoting community involving in the reforestation and management through implementing sustainable livelihood initiatives.
These objectives included strengthening the capacities of community members, particularly community Dobo Forest Park Sustainable land management Committee on environmental planning, governance and sustainable land management practices; enhancing capacities of community members, particularly women and youth on alternative livelihood practices through capacity building on sustainable management strategies to conserve forest resources for natural ecosystems service and to improve technical institutional linkages at Regional and local levels to strengthen the management of forest resources in North Bank Region.
Mr Ceesay noted that 4H The Gambia sought partnership with Regional Forestry Office in NBR, Dobo Forest park Sustainable Land Management Committee and 8 communities surrounding Dobo Forest Park to strengthen the capacities of community members, particularly Dobo Forest Park Sustainable Land Management Committee on environmental planning, governance and sustainable land management practices.
However, the agency held stakeholders consultation with Dobo forest management committee including the chief of Central Badibou Alagie Jagne, Regional Principal Forestry Officer Ousainou Cham and Governor Lamin Saidykhan.