The Executive members of Coalition of Gambia Environment Organization (CGEOs) recently held an emergency meeting to discuss action plan of current encroachment of Old Cycle Track wet land situated at Kotu wetlands
The encroachment according to the CGEOs happened behind Palma Rima Hotel in Kotu which could result to grabbing or attracting more and more development in the wetland.
The CGEOs also learnt with dismay that this same wetland is pegged with concrete cement poles, which could be a sign of further land allocations thus the area also continued to attract lots of international bird watching celebrities as well as international wildlife film makers.
“The Kotu Wetlands is the only wetland within the metropolitan in Kanifing Municipality that serve as one of the hotspots of the Gambia bird watching areas where more than 150 species can be seen in Kotuwetlands and its surroundings including migratory birds that use the area as a stopover site,” CGEOs explained.
This unique fresh water body CGEOs added, surrounded by hotels apart from attracting both local and international bird’s watchers annually and harbors species of biodiversity importance.
According to the CGEOs, many youths both men and women in the area venture into seedling productions, rice farming, vegetable gardening, tourist guide among others, adding that the local bird watcher’s association, environmentalists, students and researchers also visit the area, for multiple purposes thus also serves as a perfect habitat or breeding ground to a growing number of bird species/insects.
The President of CGEO, Seeku Janko explained that few years ago the area was about to be develop by certain individuals he (Janko) then organizes a press conference in the area which resulted to the halting of development in the area.
Mr. Janko informed that during their subsequent meetings, the West African Bird Study Association (WABSA) under its executive director Lamin Jobaate and a member of CGEO was tasked to start engaging the relevant Department to start the process frameworks that Kotuwetlands can become an indigenous community conservation area.
While the process is going on Mr. Janko continued, CGEOs members have observed the encroachement at Kotu wetland area that could be detrimental to the biodiversity and its ecosystem.
CGEOs president Janko informed that his organization members pledged to safeguard the Kotu Wetlands and the Cycle track and will conduct consultation with the communities of Kotu, Dippa Kunda, Latrikunda and Manjai Kunda.
Another key recommendation CGEOs came-up with during their meeting, was to consult the new land reform Taskforce committees established by Ministry of Land to advise them to include Kotu wetlands in their consultancy work.
“CGEOs members are willing to give technical advice to the said committee in other Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in The Gambia that need urgent protection. CGEO members also embarked on activities like tree planting,” Mr. highlighted.
CGEOs president hailed UN and ECOWAS for raising his organization’s voice higher on the current unsustainable use of land in The Gambia which could pause great threats to present and future generation.