Keneba Youth Environmentalists Plant more
than 13,000 Gmelina Trees
By Ousman A. Marong
Keneba Youth
Association for Environmental Development and Sustainability (KYAEDS) have on
Saturday planted about 13,000 Gmelina trees in Keneba village, Kiang West district, Lower
River region.
The initiative
which started years back by the youth of the village is registered under the
community forestry project under the Ministry of Forestry and Environment.
The historic
weekend tree planting exercise attracted the support of soldiers from Pakaliba
Military Camp, Jarra, and Lower River Region who participated in a bid to
protect and boost the village’s forest cover.
According to
the President of KYAEDS, Abdoulie Minteh, the tree planting exercise was necessitated
by the level of damage to the environment as a result of cutting down of trees,
bush fire among others.
He stated
that activities that are not friendly to the ecosystem undermine sustainable
agricultural practice too, commending the Department of Forestry and
Environment under the Minister of Environment and Forestry for their support
Kebba Janneh
Ceesay, youth leader at KYAEDS described tree planting as a very good mitigation
for climate change.
He said
Climate Change causes environmental degradation in many developing countries
and The Gambia not an exception.
Representative
of the Department of Forestry, Mr. Babanding Sanyang said described the
exercise as a remarkable example of a community coming together to make a change
for the betterment of everyone’s future.
Hailing the
efforts of the youth association Sanyang said: “The tree planting exercise is a
step in the right direction towards achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable
Development Goals (SGDs) 13 and 15.
He commended
the community for taking good care of their forest, cautioning them to be fire
belting the forest on an annual basis to prevent the calamity of bush fire.
The tree
planting exercise has seen some 3k tree planted, and see areas being given the
support to rejuvenate and to become the once beautiful Keneba that is all our
hearts said Mr. Sanyang.
“What an
example we are showing to the younger generation, those that we will rely on to
make positive changes for all our futures. From small trees grow big forest,”
he concluded.
In her part
the president of Keneba Women association Pakaya Ceesay hailed the historic
tree planting event in Keneba to restore the depleted forest and replace some
needed trees in the forest.
She added:
“I am extremely proud of the community and all the people who came together to
make this tree planting exercise successful.”
Bakary Corr,
a representative from The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) commended all those who
have contributed their quota towards making the tree planting a successful
event.
“I humbly
thank all the people of Keneba for their wonderful civil-military relationship
with GAF,” Said Corr.
The event
was attended by the Alkalo of the village, Mr Hijinkay Danso, women kafos and elders.
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| The President Abdoulie Minteh in the Middle. (photo credit Ousman A. Marong) |
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