Sukuta Denounced Salagie Forest De-Reserving

Residents of Sukuta have condemned the government's decision to allocate over six hectares of the Sukuta-Salagie forest to a private entity, The Gambia Angola China Holdings (GACH), without conducting stakeholder consultations or the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Despite petitions by local residents and environmentalists, GACH    extensively bulldozed the forest park amidst community dismay and anguish.                                                                                    The government justified its decision by citing the infrastructural demand for critical basalt supply, stating that Salagie forest was an ideal location for a basalt depot. However, community members and environmentalists criticized this action as short-sighted, pointing out that there are open land fields available in other areas of the region. They emphasized that The Gambia, as a signatory to the UN’s climate-carbon initiative,  

  is neglecting the ecological,   cultural, eco-tourism, and biodiversity significance of its forests. This neglect further reverses the principles established during Sir Dawda Jawara's era, particularly the Banjul Declaration of 1977 on protecting the country’s remaining fauna and flora. A subsequent meeting between the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) and various stakeholders, including The Gambia Environmental Alliance (GEA) and the Sukuta Village Development Committee (VDC), ended in a deadlock. Minister of Environment Rohey John Manjang stated that the temporary permit issued to GACH could not be rescinded, leading to calls for the government to reverse its decision.   A scoping and monitoring mission was carried out at Salagi Forest Park, involving key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Environment, 

 the National Environment   Agency (NEA), the Ministry of Health, the Sukuta Village Development Committee, and The Gambia Environmental Agency.  The purpose of the mission was to assess the social and economic activities in the area and their potential impact on the park. 

The ministry highlighted that GACH began clearing activities without obtaining the necessary environmental approval. This prompted the issuance of a stop notice, emphasizing the Forestry Department’s statutory requirements for projects in the jurisdiction of the forests. 

Key highlights from the engagement meeting included the importance of community involvement, forest ownership, and protection, as well as the preservation of cultural, ecological, and biodiversity of the limited forest reserves in Kombo.

  The Gambia Environmental Alliance has opposed the government’s plan to de-reserve part of the Abuko Nature Reserve for a national stadium and sports facility in Lamin.

In a statement, the Alliance condemned the government’s announcement on the State House's Facebook after a cabinet meeting on September 19, where Minister Hamat N.K. Bah supported the proposal.

The Alliance expressed concern, stating the decision threatens this important ecological site protected by Gambian law. 

Abuko Nature Reserve is crucial for biodiversity and climate resilience, and de-reserving it would harm the ecosystem hosting many plant and animal species.  

 Conservationist Pa Modou Njie emphasized that sacrificing natural heritage for short-term gains jeopardizes future generations. 

   Note: Photos reprinted from "Abuko Nature Reserve," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

    The Alliance highlighted that The Gambia is a signatory to international treaties like the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ramsar Convention, emphasizing ecosystem protection. Developing these areas would breach such commitment and could lead to increased flooding. They urged the government to improve park infrastructure and strengthen the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management instead of targeting crucial ecological sites for development, stating, “Our environment is not a disposable commodity—it is a lifeline for our future.”