(Thursday 12th March 2020 Issue)
As
part of its efforts to educate local communities on the effects of climate
change, Beakanyang, a local NGO is embarking on a 6-day sensitization tour of
communities in Wuli.
Speaking
at the start of the caravan in Nyakoi Taibatou, Nfamara Jawneh, the Executive
Director of Beakanyang said that climate change is real and communities
including in those Wuli are also affected.
According
to him, rainfall patterns have changed over the years with limited and
unpredictable rains resulting in poor harvest by farmers.
According
to him, communities in Wuli have been experiencing the effects of climate
change such as flooding, extreme weather and erosion. “If you could recall at
the beginning of the raining season last year, several houses and animals were
washed away by windstorm in many communities here in Nyakoi and in some
communities we are visiting have in fact lost their loved ones during those
disasters. For us all these are effects of climate change,” he declared.
He
called on communities to desist from the indiscriminate felling of trees and to
stop setting the bush on fire.
Jawneh
called for concerted efforts in preserving the environment while encouraging
locals to plant more trees.
Fanding
Barrow, a board member of Beakanyang thanked the Global Environment Facility
Small Grant Programme for supporting the climate change sensitization tour.
According
to him, the tour which includes traditional communicators locally known as
Kanyellengs, climate experts, staff and board members will cover ten
communities in Wuli east and west respectively.
For
his part, Mr. Omar Malmo Sambou a lecturer from the University of the Gambia
and a climate change expert told the communities that climate change is really
happening and people need to take serious action to mitigate its impact.
According
to him, due to climate change, reports have shown that we will be experiencing
increase in temperatures while food production will also significantly reduce.
He
told the people of Wuli to jealously guard their remaining forest cover while
encouraging them to build a culture of tree planting.
Mr.
Sambo blamed the government for failing to effectively implement the
environmental legislations and conventions and treaties the country has signed.
Meanwhile,
from community to community, the Department of Forestry is alleged to be the
biggest threat to our forest cover. Many communities blame foresters for giving
permits for tree felling or compromising the law and their responsibilities for
personal gains.
Mbembanding
Jabby, Alkalo of Taibatou thanked Beakanyang for the tour noting that the
impact of climate change can be reduced but required concerted efforts by all
and sundry.
He
expressed their readiness to work with Beakanyang in developing their community
forest while calling for support to establish an ecotourism centre in the
village.
Fatou
Ceesay, lady president of Bajonkoto and Jambo Camara of Sutukonding applauded
Beakanyang for alleviating the suffering of the people in the area.
