The Upper Fulladu District Tribunal in the Central River Region recently convicted the alkalo of Kerewan Dumbokono and three others for the illegal felling of trees contrary to Forestry Act.
Julaba Fatty, the alkalo of Kerewan Dumbokono village and three others, namely Mbye Suso of Cha-kunda village and Jobo Ceesay of Santanto village, all in the Central River Region, were each fined D8,000 in default to serve two years in prison.
While Alhagie Ceesay, a driver, was fined D5,000 in default to serve two years in prison.
They all pleaded guilty of the charge, when they were arraigned and begged the tribunal’s forgiveness, saying that they are family members.
They were said to have been intercepted in various locations, such as
In passing his judgment, Chief Alhagie Biran Baldeh told the convicts that they ought to know that felling of trees in a state forest is an offence.
Meanwhile, the regional forestry officer also warned people to desist from intruding into the forest, saying that there would be no mercy for anyone found destroying the forest.
He then used the opportunity to call on all Gambians to protect our natural resources.
