The exercise, officials said, is designed to fight deforestation and also minimise the impact of climate change.
With financial and technical support from USAID and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the day-long exercise witnessed a massive turnout from inhabitants of the area and including officials from The Gambia Red Cross.
Speaking after the exercise, Abdoulie Faye, the acting Secretary General of the Gambia Red Cross Society, spoke at length on the significance of the exercise, saying: “The impact of climate change has affected many communities which are experiencing deforestation.”
Rampant tree falling, he said, is greatly affecting our environment, adding: “We therefore want to embark on this initiative with the desire of restoring our forest cover. We are not only planting these trees, but should also make sure that they grow and benefit members of the community.”
Njogu Jeng, the National Society Development Officer of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Dakar Cluster Delegation, which is covering The Gambia, Senegal, Cape Verde, and Mauritania, said: “The Gambia was one of the countries we gave priority to in our pursuit to mitigate climate change. This initiative is therefore geared towards combating climate risk and global warming,” he emphasised.
For his part, Sulayman Touray, from the forestry department described the initiative as timely taking into account that the planted trees will significantly restore the lost one due to rampant tree falling, thus it will help to mitigate climate change.
“As the forestry officer within the area, we have been constantly engaging inhabitants of the area
and also sensitizing them on the importance of tree planting and the need to actively protect our forest cover.”
Momodou Colley, the village alkalo of Foni Bondali spoke on the importance of the forest and the benefit the community will gain from it. He called for greater collaboration in the fight against deforestation, while assuring that the planted trees will be protected.
“We will make sure these trees are protected. In fact, the protection of these trees should be the responsibility of all as it is the community that is going to benefit from it.”
Faye Gibba, a woman leader in Foni Bondali, said: “If we have enough trees within the area, we will not experience inadequate rainfall. I want to assure you all that the community members would take up the responsibility of protecting the trees that had been planted.”
