By Lamin Fatty
Authorities in the Central River Region (CRR) have confirmed that the recent bushfire which swept through part of the region affected Madina Demba Forest Park, not the widely speculated Kunkilling Forest Park, which remains untouched.
In response to circulating rumors that Kunkilling — considered one of the most ecologically important forest reserves in the country — had been damaged by fire, Foroyaa visited the area and verified with regional forestry officials that it was, in fact, Madina Demba Forest Park in Fulladou, CRR South, that was burned.
Situated along the southern stretch of the Trans-Gambia Highway, between Yorobeli Kunda and Banjulinding in CRR, Madina Demba Forest Park is among the largest forest reserves in the country, spanning approximately 2,000 hectares. The park is one of the oldest community-managed forests in the region.
“This forest park has lacked proper management and care for a long time, and that’s why it burns almost every year,” said Ansumana “Badinding” Sanneh, a former member of the forest park’s initial management committee. Sanneh recalled the establishment of the forest park during the tenure of former regional forestry officer Cherno Gaye. He blamed both the Forestry Department and surrounding communities for recurring mismanagement.
Sanneh alleged that the Forestry Department has issued harvesting licenses to outsiders who abuse the forest’s resources, especially its valuable mahogany trees, and has failed to coordinate effective fire prevention efforts with local residents.
Echoing those concerns, Musa Sanneh, son of Yorobeli Kunda’s Alkalo (village head), said his family was directly involved in the park’s early care and reforestation efforts. “It used to be well managed,” he said. “Now, due to negligence by both the department and nearby communities, the forest suffers constant bushfires.”
He attributed most of the recent fires to charcoal producers operating illegally within the reserve.
At the Forestry Department’s regional office in Janjanbureh, newly appointed CRR Forestry Director Mamadou Dambelleh — who said he has been in office for just a month — confirmed the burning of Madina Demba Forest Park and clarified that Kunkilling Forest Park was unaffected.
“It was Madina Demba Forest that got burned,” Dambelleh said. He referred further inquiries to area forestry officer Lamin Jallow, who reinforced the confirmation.
“Madina Demba burns almost every year,” Jallow told Foroyaa. “It’s a joint community forest, but it suffers from lack of management and accountability.” He noted that Kunkilling Forest Park, by contrast, has remained intact and well protected for more than three decades.
Kunkilling, covering about 180 hectares near the banks of the River Gambia, is considered a biodiversity hotspot. According to Jallow, it is home to several rare bird species, including the Adama Away Turtle Dove, and has recently attracted interest from eco-tourists.
“We’re now seeing birds in Kunkilling that are rare not only in The Gambia but across the subregion,” he said. “Tourists are starting to visit the park specifically for birdwatching.”
Jallow highlighted the need for better road access and sustainable development initiatives such as eco-lodges to boost community engagement in forest conservation. “With proper investment, these forest parks could become sources of income for local communities,” he said.
