The
community of Busura village, in collaboration with their village development
committee and the department of forestry through the regional office in the
West Coast Region over the weekend convened a daylong forum at Busura Lower
Basic School ground to discuss a five-year strategic plan for the
sustainability of forest management of their Badara Faye Forest Park.
In
his welcome remarks, the Alkalo of Busura village, Alieu A. Faye, expressed
delight at the forum which was geared towards helping them in the management of
their forest park.
He
said since the forest was now gazetted they would not compromise on its proper
usage and sustainability in ensuring that the forest park is protected from all
forms of exploitation.
He also dwelt on the need for collective
effort from both the community and the department of forestry in the
safeguarding of natural resources.
He
assured the department of forestry that his community would do everything
possible to implement the agreement that has emerged from the forum with the
aim to protect the forest in the next five years and would endeavor to respect
all the agreements.
For
his part, the Chairman of Brikama Area Council, Bakary Saibo Sanneh, hailed the
community for the adoption of a community forest management plan for the next
five years.
He
said it was important now that communities are involved and are aware of the
management of their natural resources and described forestry as one of the most
important assets of any country.
He
called on all the community of Busura to respect the five-year strategic plan
for their forest management and support the management committee in ensuring
that the forest is protected.
In
his statement, the National Assembly Member for Brikama South, Hon. Laimin
Sanneh, said the purpose of the gathering was to discuss the protection of the
community forest (Badara Faye Forest Park).
He
said there are lots of issues that are entailed in the forest bill, regarding
the cutting of trees and production of charcoal in the country.
He
said for the community of Busura coming up with the strategic forest management
plans was a welcome gesture and encouraged them to continue to work as a team
for the interest of the country.