By: Haruna Kuyateh
National Alliance on Agroecology Gambia NAAG in partnership with Action Aid International the Gambia with funding from Wetland International and PABIO on Saturday organised a day of training on Proposal Development Business Plan and Resource Mobilisation through management, leadership, and governance for beneficiaries of Nuimi National Park.
The training is part of one year project dubbed Management of Mangroves Forests from Senegal to Benin to enhance Resilience to Climate Change.
The training meant to ensure the attainment of maximise results and improve livelihood was
held in Kanuma of Lower Nuimi, North Bank Region.
Musa Sowe Secretary General of the National Alliance on Agroecology Gambia (NAAG) highlighted the significance of building the capacity of youths and women to develop strategies for preserving and protecting Nuimi National Park.
He noted that the project will promote beekeeping, wild fruit collection, breeding space for fish, and orchester collection within the mangroves.
SG Sowe said training on management, leadership, and governance will help to develop a paradigm shift in the effective management of parks and associations.
The management of 7554ha Nuimi National Park called for the proactive involvement of all actors to preserve natural resources.
Njaga Bongo Jawo, Executive Director of the National Association of Women Farmers Association NAWFA and also double chairman of the National Alliance on Agroecology Gambia NAAG said the capacity development will enhance the management and governance of the park.
He added that the intervention would maintain productivity by sustaining natural resources for the betterment of the restoration of forests and parks.
Hon.Michelle Mendy, Councillor Essau Ward, and NAAG Focal Point for NBR said the project would strengthen communities’ ownership, adding that the protection and preservation of natural resources would contribute to the economic development of women and contribute to poverty reduction.
Sarjo Manneh, Manager of Nuimi National Park disclosed that his office attached great importance in preserving protected areas from exploitation.
He noted that youth participation is important to address illegal logging activities, as it poised serious threats to the ecosystem.
Alh. Muniru Nyang, alkalo of Medina Kanuma said the training would help to consolidate achievements after it was gazetted in 1986.
He noted that sand mining along the park affects the ecosystem and biodiversity, while he called on youths to work with the management of the park to bring about sustainable forest management.