This put many communities in a dilemma especially in balancing conserving their forest covers and also meeting the high demand in the construction industry. The high demand of timber has forced businessmen to shift their attention to even mango trees and other trees grown locally in homes.
Aside being a source of food, Mango trees are an import part of the environment, providing numerous benefits that makes essential for a healthy and sustainable ecosystem.
Thus, this illegal practice must be addressed holistically to save our forest cover and economy, and generally our lives. Let’s adopt sound and eco-friendly measures to conserve our forest cover.
In our yesterday’s edition, the Department of Forestry has raised concern over the issue, describing as “rampant felling” of mango trees at individual orchards and or communities.
Thus, the Department warned that it will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the preservation and protection of the forest.
Similarly, it reminded that mango trees in an orchard have equal rights just as trees in the forest, warning that the Department will not hesitate to crackdown any individual engaging in these illegal activities.
Therefore, we commend the Department for the bold move aimed at conserving and restoring the country’s forest cover.
The Gambia, just like most sub-Saharan African countries is endowed with abundant resources that have what it takes to benefit its population without destroying our biodiversity.
From abundant flora population, the country has even more to showcase to the wider world. The recent rate at which the country’s forest cover is being exploited ‘if remain unchecked’ would have an adverse effect in the long run.
We all have a stake in preserving and protecting our forest cover. It is true that our existence largely depends on how healthy our environment is. Human activities have a great impact on our environment as seen in the rapid change on climate variability to climate change and even greenhouse emission.
It is high time communities take ownership by sounding the alarm each time they observe something abnormal in communities like illegal felling of trees. Also, those found wanting should face the full force of the law.
It is also high time government regulate estate developers, who are always in a rush to clear vast areas of land, once documentation has been reached.
Estate developers should reason that location also matters when identifying areas estate development.
Thus, this illegal practice, must be addressed holistically to save our forest cover and economy, and generally ‘our lives.’ Let’s adopt sound and eco-friendly measures to conserve our forest cover.