The
Department of Forestry has been receiving reports of rampant indiscriminate
bushfire around the country with devastating efforts to our forest cover. This
has become a concern and the Department hereby informs the general public that
the government of the Gambia still remains committed to sound environmental
management and has attached a great deal of interest to the preservation and
protection of our forest resources.
It is important to note that the livelihoods of most of our population depend to a great extent on the forest and its rich resource base in terms of food, medicine, energy, income and employment. As a result, we all have equal responsibilities to conserve, protect and rationally utilize this precious and priceless heritage against the menace of fires.
The general public is strongly urged to join efforts in preventing the occurrence of bushfires and participate fully in the control exercises whenever and wherever they occur. The Department of Forestry will leave no culprit go free for illegally setting a forest on fire. All local authorities should take responsibility of fighting bushfires in their areas of jurisdiction, as a national and individual response.
By a copy of this press release, all State Security Services, Regional Governors, District Chiefs, Village Alkalolus and the general public are hereby informed and are kindly requested to intervene or report to the nearest Forest Station, Police Station and other security checkpoints any incidents related to the above.
Thank you.
