Ardo
Community Adult Skill Centre with support from the United Nations Global
Environment Facility project recently organized a training programme for 50
participants in deforestation and management of trees to mitigate the effects
of climate change.
Speaking on the occasion, the director of the skills centre, Alagie Joof, spoken of the need for communities to take centre-stage in the restoration of the lost forest cover by planting trees.
The one-day activity was held at Kerr Ardo in Lower Badibou North in the North Bank Region, attended by participants drawn from ten villages in Lower Badibou North.
He lauded the UNDP Global Environment Facility for contributing to enhancing the community’s participation in environmental protection, noting that the centre aims to raise 20, 000 trees to be distributed among 10 communities in the Baddibus.
Adama Touray, the centre’s board chairperson, thanked people for their support to the centre in promoting environmental protection, and to enhance food production and sustainable livelihood development.
He said the restoration of the environment calls for the concerted efforts of all, and called on the participants to be vigilant in the protection of planted trees to protect and preserve forest resources.
Alagie Jallow, a lead trainer from Njawara Agricultural Training Centre, noted that preparation of the 20, 000 nursery would help to strengthen community’s capacity to massively plant trees, and ensure a high survival rate so as to bring about sustainable environment management.
He called on community-based organizations and individuals to champion tree-planting on farmland at the community level.
Ousman Joof, a community leader, thanked the youths for their foresight in the restoration of the environment, and protection from all forms of over exploitation.
He said the council of elders fully support restoration and preservation of natural resources.
The participants agreed to give all support to ensure that all the beneficiary communities spearhead the tree-planting.
