Tackling Deforestation & Illegal Logging in The Gambia
9 Mar 2012
"The problem has led to increased desertification and ultimately put people’s livelihoods at risk."
Concern Universal in The Gambia/Senegal is to roll out a new programme, using Gambian expertise to address the serious damage caused by illegal logging and deforestation in the Casamance region of Senegal.
Technical experts from the Gambia Forestry Department will work together will local officials and forestry personnel in Casamance to share skills and training.
They will conduct an extensive mapping exercise of a threatened area of forest in Casamance. A series of information and training workshops will also be conducted.
Mr Ismaila Jarjou, the CU Acting Country Director said, “Over the past decade, the illicit timber trade has received international attention for causing major and intractable deforestation in the Cassamance region. The problem has led to increased desertification and ultimately put people’s livelihoods at risk.”
The Gambian Forestry Department has renowned expertise in the area of forest conservation, and this knowledge can help will reduce illegal logging in Cassamance by increasing community forest management and improving capacity of community forest committees.
The target area of the proposed pilot project is the rural community of Kataba. Heavy exploitation of tree species have negatively impacted on the densityand rejuvenation capacity of the forest.
This project is being conducted with funding from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.
