By Fatoumatta Sillah
The Department of Forestry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture through the P2-P2RS Project, has organised a community training forum in Jenoi aimed at strengthening efforts to combat bushfires and illegal logging across forest communities.
The training brought together community forest committee members, fire service officials, and local stakeholders to raise awareness on fire prevention, forest protection, and sustainable environmental management.
Speaking during the forum, Sulayman M.S. Jagne, Head of the Information and Data Management Unit at the Department of Forestry and focal point for the P2-P2RS Project, said the initiative is part of ongoing collaboration between the Forestry Department and agricultural projects under the Ministry of Agriculture.
He explained that the main objective of the training is to equip community forest committees with practical knowledge on how to manage bushfires and protect forests from destruction.
“We have seen evidence that this training has helped communities manage forest fires. Compared to previous years, we are seeing improvements in how communities respond to fire outbreaks,” he said.
Jagne added that the programme, which started last year, is expected to continue for five years and encouraged participants to become “trainers of trainers” within their communities.
Officials from the Gambia Fire and Rescue Services also took part in the exercise. Fire officer Ali S. E. Boyang of Burnside Fire Station warned that bushfires remain one of the most dangerous environmental threats facing communities.
“Bushfire is something that is disturbing us very well. Fighting bushfire is not easy because it requires a lot of people and coordination,” he said.
Speakers at the forum also raised concerns over illegal logging and the destruction of forest resources, warning that continuous cutting down of trees is contributing to environmental degradation and the disappearance of valuable forest products.
Participants were urged to protect forests, report illegal logging activities, and support efforts to create fire belts to reduce the spread of bushfires.
Organisers said the initiative forms part of wider efforts to preserve forest resources, protect livelihoods, and strengthen community participation in environmental conservation across The Gambia.
The governor, three chiefs and the regional forestry officer represented the Director of Forestry.
