By: Momodou Gagigo
Governor Ousman Bah of the Central River Region has issued a passionate call to young Gambians to rise as frontline defenders of the country’s forests and wildlife, describing these natural resources as among The Gambia’s most vital national treasures.
Addressing a large gathering of youths at a community engagement event in Kaur, Lower Saloum District, Governor Bah stressed that safeguarding the environment is a collective responsibility that extends beyond government institutions. He placed special emphasis on the role of young people, whom he described as the future custodians of the nation’s flora and fauna.
“Protecting our forests and wildlife is not only the duty of the government but the shared responsibility of every citizen, particularly the youth who will inherit this country,” Governor Bah told the enthusiastic crowd.
The governor warned that unsustainable human activities are accelerating environmental degradation and contributing to climate change impacts across rural Gambia. He singled out harmful practices such as indiscriminate tree felling for firewood and charcoal production, uncontrolled timber harvesting, and large-scale land clearing for agriculture as major threats to the country’s forest ecosystems.
“These activities are disrupting the natural balance that our communities depend on for survival,” he said.
Governor Bah highlighted the multifaceted importance of forests in supporting livelihoods and maintaining ecological stability. Beyond supplying timber and fuelwood, he noted that trees are essential sources of traditional medicine, help purify the air by releasing oxygen, prevent soil erosion, sustain biodiversity, and provide food for both humans and animals.
He cautioned that the continued disappearance of forests would have devastating consequences for rural communities that rely heavily on natural resources for their daily needs.
“We have to preserve our forests,” the governor declared. “Many of the challenges we face today stem from our exploitation of the environment. Until we change our attitudes and commit to protecting nature, achieving a healthier and more secure future will remain difficult.”
Governor Bah painted a sobering picture of the long-term risks of environmental neglect, including prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, increased soil erosion, and pollution. He observed that these effects are already being experienced in several parts of the country and could intensify without immediate intervention.
To counter these threats, the governor urged young people to take proactive steps by becoming environmental ambassadors in their communities.
He encouraged them to raise awareness about conservation, actively discourage illegal logging, and spearhead tree-planting initiatives.
He also called on community leaders and families to support sustainable practices in the use of forest resources.
The governor concluded his address by framing environmental protection as a strategic investment in the nation’s future prosperity.
“Protecting nature today is an investment in tomorrow’s prosperity,” he said. “I call on you, the youth, to work hand in hand with authorities and all environmental stakeholders to ensure that The Gambia’s rich forests, diverse wildlife, and precious plant life are preserved for generations to come.”
The community engagement activity in Kaur forms part of broader efforts to mobilize grassroots support for environmental conservation in the Central River Region and across The Gambia.
