The Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC), in partnership with the Department of Forestry, recently donated materials to combat unexpected outbreak of bush fire, as part of efforts at fighting bush fire in the provincial region of Central River Region south.
The support for the anti-bush fire campaign in the region includes materials such as rakes, cutlasses and bicycles.
The materials were given to 30 communities including Brikamaba, Ahlullahi, Boiram, Fass Abdou, Jahally, Madina Nfally, Tabanding, and Njoben.
The materials were meant for fighting fire outbreak as well as creating fire belts around the communities and other protected areas to prevent bush fire from entering the residential areas.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony held in Brikamaba, Lamin Jarjue, the energy and environment project officer who doubles as project manager for livelihood at ADWAC, revealed that as the raining season approaches farmers are busy clearing and gearing up their farms ahead of the season.
During this process, according to Jarjue fire might go out of control and if it is not stopped early it could lead to disaster.
“This is one of reasons why these materials were given to you so that you can prevent and protect our environment and natural resources from being ruined by fire,” he said.
Mr Jarjue called on the beneficiary communities to tighten their belts in the fight against bush fire and even domestic fire and other illegal activities in the forest.
For his part, Alhagie Sanyang, regional forestry officer for CRR, spoke at length on the importance of protecting forest and its resources, adding that protection and prevention of bush fire is not only the responsibility of the foresters but all and sundry.
“If we are going to sustain and successfully stop bush fire then all hands must be on deck to collaboratively work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the menace is halt,” he emphasised.
Aja Fatou Trawalleh, lady councillor for Brikamaba, noted that the attainment of food security can only be realised if the environment is protected from bush fire and illegal logging.
She noted that ADWAC is committed to promoting food security and sustainable development.
Commenting on the campaign, she said, it would bring about positive behaviour towards the management of forest.
ADWAC field worker Lamin Jabbie said participatory forest management calls for concerted efforts of stakeholders and the need to adhere to forest policy and regulations on bushfire.
“The partnership with ADWAC would contribute towards strengthening community response in the management of forest,” he added.
Alhagie Nyamo Ceesay, alkali of Brikamaba, echoed similar sentiments and called on district authorities to be proactive in the maintenance of forest.
