By Amadou Manjang
The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO& ICESCO (NATCOM)in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), is to plant 10,000 trees on 20 hectares in 8 communities.
The project, Support Community Reforestation Program, is funded by ICESCO, which seeks to promote a sustainable ecosystem, conserve biodiversity, and strengthen food security and community resilience in The Gambia.
The First Lady of the Gambia, Fatoumata Bah Barrow kicked off the project, planting four trees in the NATCOM compound in a colorful ceremony in Banjul.
ICESCO together with the NATCOM plans to commence the tree planting exercise in collaboration with the Department of Forestry as the technical implementing partners for this project, as well as stakeholders from the various targeted communities in the restoration of the ecosystems.
Speaking at the event, Maimuna Sidibeh, Secretary General of Gambia National Commission for UNESCO, said they will replace 20 hectares of lost forest with highly efficient and resilient trees.
She added that they will want to do such projects in the future. She announced that a new biosphere reserve in the country has been approved by UNESCO. The approved biosphere is the Niumi biosphere reserve in North Bank for fora and fauna. It covers more hundred hectors.
She added that the approval will strengthen the biosphere in the country and she added that they will be raising awareness in regards to the biosphere.
Project Focal Point, Omar Jallow said it is a life project for many communities that will benefit from the Reforestation Programme. He added that eight communities will benefit from the project.
He said they have consulted the community and conducted research and site visits. He added that the project will also set standard guidelines for future projects.
Director of the Department of Forestry, Muhammed Jaiteh said the project is set to restore lost forests destroyed by climate change and human activities. He said they can’t do it alone and so they need departments and communities to help in the reforestation project.
He said forestry resources are key in economic development, but the human pressure is degrading forest resources.
Fahman Fathurrahman, an Expert from the Science, and Technology Sector of the Islamic World Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization said this is part of their project of planting 500,000 highly efficient trees.
He said the Gambia is losing about seven percent of forest annually.
He said their efforts seek to provide opportunity to people in the rural area. He added they will also support member states in education, culture, and science. He urged them to collaborate with the project to enhance the reforestation.
Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, first lady of The Gambia highlighted the importance of trees. She said tree planting is important as it contributes to the production and generation of oxygen. She called on people to nurture the trees so that they can grow.
