This resplendent afforestation initiative driven by the Gambia Red Cross Society has been undertaken with the financial and technical support of the USAID and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The rationale behind the eminent NGO’s initiative include combating and effectively barring soil erosion and deforestation, as well as addressing the disastrous challenges posed by overgrazing to ensure a robust green cover in these communities.
Moreover, the larger picture involves enhancing climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies while empowering local communities with the knowledge and tools to protect their environment and secure their livelihoods, which are largely dependent on these forests.
The first phase of the exercise took place on Saturday, when the GRCS visited the community of Kartong, liaising with a massive number of dedicated community members to carry out the exercise. The large entourage planted trees at the forest and at the beach, totaling a record 1,975 in a single day.
Acting Secretary General of the Gambia Red Cross Society, Abdoulie Fye, stated: “The reason we are here is basically due to climate change. The impact of climate change has affected communities, and also we have seen deforestation - people cutting trees; that is what is affecting our environment. So today, we are here to plant trees and help them to grow also. It is not only about planting; it is also about making sure they grow to make sure that they provide the necessary benefit to the community.”
Mr Fye emphasised the essence of trees and forests, saying: “The importance of trees is immense. The oxygen we breathe in comes from trees and the carbon dioxide we give out goes to the trees. So if we cut down trees, the carbon dioxide we release wouldn’t have trees to absorb it; rather it goes to the atmosphere and accumulates there. And that is why there is a lot of heat because the trees are not taking it.”
He added that trees also help in ensuring that “we have good amount of rain”, stressing that without much trees there may not be enough rain, which affects agriculture. The acting GRCS boss also underscored environmental protection and wildlife conservation among other importance to having a veritable ecosystem.
“So that is why we are here to partner with the community,” Mr Fye said pleasingly. “They also do this exercise every year, and we believe in community partnership, the community taking the lead. Because of that community resilience, partnering with them and continuing motivating them is important.”
The acting SG also said GRCS ensures commitment to sustainability through their regular monitoring routines, adding that their survival rate target is at least fifty to sixty per cent. He thus encourages the community to nurture and ensure the sustainability of the seedlings and saplings planted.
Njogu Jeng, the National Society Development Officer of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Dakar Cluster Delegation, covering The Gambia, Senegal, Cape Verde and Mauritania, outlined that at the IFRC level, The Gambia is one of the countries they give priority, especially in the endeavor to mitigate climate change.
He noted that “this is one of the initiatives” they are carrying out to ensure the planting of more trees in the endeavor to combat climate risk and global warming.
Jeng stressed that what makes such initiative unique is that it is community-led, since it is communities who identify locations for planting, the varieties to be planted and other peculiar issues pertaining to the initiative.
“But the main objective behind it is actually to build the resilience of the communities, especially in dealing with the effects of climate change,” he said, expressing optimism in their partnering with the GRCS in such an endeavor.
Responding to whether the planting exercise could effectively combat deforestation, Jeng articulated: “I think this is one step towards combating deforestation, and there is some evidence that has actually worked elsewhere, given that this is not the first of its kind. I think if you must have gone through the forest, you would realize that last year there were some trees that were planted, and you could see the survival rate is actually very positive.”
Amadou Jarjue, president of the Kartong Community Forestry, hailed the GRCS, partners and community volunteers. “Forests are very important,” he underlined, “because many people benefit from it. It is the entire Gambia that benefits from this forest because people come here to pluck fruits. Honey, medicine, fire wood and many things are obtained from here.”
Nevertheless, he pleaded for responsible utilisation by individuals, hailing community dwellers in taking the personal as well as collective drive to protect the forest and bar harmful practices. He equally hailed the Red Cross Society.
The GRCS delegation with partners headed to Gunjur the following day, Sunday, for the second phase of the exercise during the weekend. The Gunjur community equally embraced the initiative, responding to the call by GRCS for greener Gambia with much passion and enthusiasm. From the young to the elderly, they marched out in quite massive numbers, each participating fully and planting as many as he or she could.
In a brief deliberation similar to those made in Kartong, the GRCS acting boss emphasised to the Gunjur dwellers the cataclysmic upshots of climate change, which was the rationale behind their presence in that community, as he stated that they were there to plant trees and nurture them to grow.
Following a successful planting of over 1,300 plants, meals were served and the day’s exercise was capped with cheering, singing and dancing by overjoyed community members, GRCS and the rest of the stakeholders.
Mustapha Jallow, Gunjur Red Cross PRO, and Demba Nding Janneh, a community elder, took turns to accentuate firm points on the importance of trees and forests amidst a global climate crisis. They extended their gratitude to all stakeholders and community members who partook in the initiative.
