By: Haruna Kuyateh
Community based Sustainable Dryland Forest Management Project funded by Global Environment Facility through FAO and Natural Consulting Firm NACO in partnership with NBR Sustainable Land Management Committee Thursday embarked on second leg of 3 days Monitoring visit to environmental related sites in North Bank Region.
The visit provided them opportunity to see impact, challenges and most importantly interacting with communities and private forest operators.
Among other places, the team Thursday visited Ngain Sanjal Mixed Farming Centre, Forest Restoration Practices at Girom in Upper Badibou and Dobo Joint Forest Park Management in Central Badibou in the North Bank Region.
Governor Lamin Saidykhan noted that the committee has to be proactive to guide Agriculture and Natural Resource sector to ensure compliance on restoration of forest cover.
The Governor however assured of his office fullest support on the recommendations on the outcomes of the monitoring visit.
Ousainou Cham, Regional Principal Forestry Officer called for collective action to address illegal environmental activities and promote sustainable land management. He commended Ngain Sanjal Mixed Farming Centre for encouraging Community participation and involvement on vegetable production and use of organic manure.
He encouraged them to promote agro forestry practices, as it will help farmers to learn best practices to boost production and productivity.
The Regional Principal Forestry Officer expressed satisfaction on restoration practices and therefore called on the community of Girom to be vigilant to protect the forest from illegal logging and bushfire.
Alkali Jarjusey Program Officer Natural Consulting Firm (NACO) described the monitoring visit as crucial in the project agreement and called on NBR Sustainable Land Management Committee to ensure sustainability. He said the visit would contribute to enhance biodiversity and boost food production.
Tamba Jammeh speaking on behalf Foundation Kalilu Jammeh of Girom thanked the committee for the visit and call on authorities to construct access road and expansion of electricity supply, as the foundation is promoting eco-tourism with Spanish partner to create employment opportunity for youths.
Fabala Kinteh Regional Wildlife Officer disclosed that 22 communities are along Baobolong wetland and reiterated that preserving and protecting the biodiversity and eco system is part of overall mandate of Department of Park and Wildlife.
The meeting provided opportunity for Agriculture and Natural Resource (ANR) sectors to present on projects and programmes within the region. This includes intervention/project sites, type of interventions, challenges and achievements. The presentation of activity reports includes Implementing Partners of FAO Funded Community Based Sustainable Dryland Forest Management Project.