Stakeholders step up measures against BUSHFIRE

Monday, June 17, 2013

 

The Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC) and the Department of Forestry have stepped up measures to curb the menace of bushfires in the Central River Region, with a donation of a consignment of fire fighter equipment to communities in the region.

The consignment includes rakes, cutlasses, and bicycles, amongst others. The items will be used to contain unexpected fire outbreak, as well as enable the rural dwellers put fire belts around the villages, compounds and other protected areas.

Speaking at a ceremony held at Brikamaba, the energy and environment project officer at ADWAC, Lamin Jarjue, described the donation as important, especially at this time when farmers are clearing farm lands in preparation for the farming season.

Jarjue said the fire fighter equipment will help farmers contain any eventual fire outbreak. He called on the beneficiary communities to tighten their belts in the fight against bush fires and even domestic fires, as well as other illegal activities in the forest.

The regional forestry officer for CRR south, Alhagie Sanyang, spoke extensively on the importance of protecting the forest and its resources against wild fires; a responsibility he stressed must not only be shouldered by foresters, but all. “To sustain the forest, we have to strengthen our efforts in the prevention and control of the forests against wild fires,” he stressed, while calling on the youths to participate in this crusade.

Sanyang recalled that some years ago his department distributed fire fighter equipment including bicycles to all the communities in the region to ensure that the rate of bush fires is minimised.

He informed of the Department’s new measure of shifting the management of the forests from state owned to individual and co-management system to encourage private involvement.

The forester hailed the complementary efforts of ADWAC in promoting environmental protection to enhance sustainable livelihood, and assured them of their fullest support in the fight against bush fires.

The lady councilor of Lower Fulladu West, Aja Fatou Trawalleh, opined that the attainment of food security can only be realised if the environment is protected from bush fire and illegal logging.  She noted that ADWAC is committed to promoting food security and sustainable development, saying this campaign would bring about positive behavioral change towards the management of forest.

ADWAC field worker, Lamin Jabbie stressed that participatory forest management calls for concerted efforts among stakeholders as well as the need to adhere to forest policy and regulations on bushfire.

“The partnership with ADWAC would contribute towards strengthening community response in the management of forest,” he stated.