This unfortunate situation often leaves communities with little hope, as it is difficult to identify and hold perpetrators accountable.
Protecting our ecosystems and biodiversity requires a holistic approach. We must conserve biodiversity and restore animal habitats as part of broader sustainable resource management to prevent habitat loss, pollution, and species extinction.
Annually, The Gambia suffers significant losses from illegal bushfires. Wildfires, as they are known in some areas, have become a common phenomenon that demands concerted and urgent action.
Despite numerous sensitisation campaigns by environmentalists, the issue remains a pressing challenge with no end in sight. The destruction caused to the environment far outweighs any perceived benefits.
Recently, a raging wildfire engulfed a community in the West Coast Region, destroying thousands of acres of cashew farms and nearby forest cover.
It is believed that 96% of the world’s fires are either deliberately lit or unintentionally caused by humans.
Experts note that more than 75% of global food crops rely on pollinators, contributing US$235–577 billion annually to global agricultural output. In addition, over 50% of modern medicines are derived from natural sources, including antibiotics from fungi and painkillers from plant compounds. Forests also store 80% of terrestrial biodiversity and absorb approximately 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, helping mitigate climate change.
Given these facts, it is incumbent on all of us to preserve and protect our remaining vegetation.
The most frustrating reality is that most wildfires are started by humans, whether intentionally or not. In The Gambia, the most widely used method for clearing farmland is still slash-and-burn, used to make way for agriculture.
Changing weather patterns have also worsened the problem. Harsh weather and extreme temperatures across Africa have become the norm. High population density has led to increasingly intensive use of natural resources, giving ecosystems less and less time to recover.
It is high time rural communities raise awareness about the dangers of bushfires, especially to ecosystems. Humans depend on these ecosystems. If we continue to exploit them, it is like biting our own finger.
In some regions, illegal bushfires have also caused mass migration or death of wildlife species. With over 650 bird species and ideal habitats for birdwatching, we must jealously safeguard our environment.
This does not require magic. People simply need to change their attitudes and embrace positive values for the greater good. Together, we can protect our environment for generations yet unborn.