LocationsGovernment of Sierra Leone initiates a tree planting intervention in Western Area Peninsula National Park with GEF support.
August 14, 2024
Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change planting a tree at the Western Area Peninsula National Park .
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has commerce a tree-planting initiative in the Western Area Peninsula National Park under the Sustainable and Integrated Landscape Management of the Western Area Peninsula project funded by the Global Environment Facility.
The Western Area Peninsula National Park in Sierra Leone is a vital biodiversity hotspot, home to Western Chimpanzees and other species, and supplies over 90% of the water for the Guma Dam. However, human activities such as deforestation, charcoal burning, and mining are threatening the park's resources, leading to degradation, and impacting the daily water supply for the city's population.
The Government of Sierra Leone and UNDP are implementing a 6-year project, "Sustainable and Integrated Landscape Management of the Western Area Peninsular" (WAP), to address climate change vulnerabilities and adaptation in the region. Informed by initial studies, the project aims to tackle key challenges and effectively respond to climate change impacts.
Speaking the event the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Abdulai, emphasized fact that the tree planting exercises at Western Area Peninsula National Park is a strategic supplement to the Ministry's enforcement efforts aimed at dissuading land degradation, encroachment, and forest fires within the park. He further noted the , the initiative holds the crucial objective of restoring the park to its natural state.
He announced stringent legal measures will be pursued against individuals engaged in encroachment and other illegal activities within the park, underlining the ministry's commitment to safeguarding environmental conservation and restoration efforts.
Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change speaking at the tree planting exercise.
The Minister of Education and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, urged residents within the peninsula to support the Ministry of Environment with its initiative. He emphasized that his Ministry is fully behind the project and will ensure that it receives the necessary attention to achieve its goals. He also stressed the importance of citizens taking responsibility for the environment through collective effort and paying close attention to environmental guidance.
UNDP expressed its commitment to supporting the is steadfast in its commitment to support the Government of Sierra Leone in addressing environmental challenge.
“I reaffirm UNDP's steadfast commitment to partnering with the Government of Sierra Leone in driving transformative environmental solutions, bolstering climate resilience, and fostering sustainable development pathways that shield vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change and other shocks, ultimately ensuring a more resilient and prosperous future for all Sierra Leoneans”, said Richard Musinguzi, on behalf of the Resident Representative.
The event culminated in a tree-planting activity involving various stakeholders, including the minister and his team. 2,000ha of forest cover within the WAP is expected to be restored by the project.
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