The Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL) has on Friday, September 25, 2020 celebrated its 34th anniversary at the Hill Valley Hotel in the west of Freetown. During the celebration, the society discussed its achievements and complimented the efforts of Dr. Sama S. Banya, whom it regards as its father.
The Director of CSSL, Sheka Kamara said that, the anniversary was to celebrate and reflect on the society’s achievements and plans. He added, “Today, Dr. Banya the father of this organization is 90 years, we cannot wait to celebrate this anniversary after he has died. Since he has created great impact in the lives of sierra Leoneans and beyond, we would show him what he had been working for.”
According to Director Kamara, the organization has been playing a vital role in the conservation and management of Sierra Leone’s natural environment, since it had been established in 1986. He added that in past decades, the society had been at the forefront of protecting endangered species, and habitats, and had been able to do so through the dedication of its members and donor partners in terms of programme funding, training and technical support.
He explained that some of the achievements of the Society include, develop the Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan for Sierra Leone; identify key biodiversity sites in Sierra Leone; partner with RSPB and government to establish the Gola Rainforest National Park; and collaborate with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to conduct the regional coastal and marine conservation programme to establish and manage Marine Protected Areas in the country.
The Executive Director said that they have also established over 50 nature clubs in schools; complete the Wild Bush Fire Prevention and Control project in the north; identify Sierra Leone River Estuary as Ramsar Site; participated in policy development and advocacy; identify important bird areas; embarked on tree planting/restoration activities in the country especially the Western Area Peninsular Forest.
On ongoing Projects, the Executive Director spoke about Community-based Forest Management project at Kambui Hills in Kenema District which is funded by Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation (AVJCF); the Diang Chiefdom Community Empowerment for Sustainable Forests and Wetlands project in Koinadugu District with funds from BMZ/EZE through Bread for the World-Protestant Development Service; Linking Food Security and Forest Conservation under REDD+ project in Kenema District with funds from Darwin Initiative; TFA 2020 Platform to develop and support national and regional principles for responsible oil palm development and sustainable palm oil production in sierra Leone, while addressing environmental targets for reduced deforestation, land use and greenhouse gases; and Community Landscape Management project to reduce deforestation and biodiversity loss in the Gola Trans-boundary Forest Landscape project funded by USAID, among others.
Challenges
Kamara said that lack of funds is one of the many challenges faced by the Society. He said that the organization does not receive funding from government. “Raising unrestricted fund is a challenge,” he said.
He added that sometimes the Society do not get backing from the government which makes their work challenging.
Kamara added that the organization occupies a rented facility, adding that it is high time they had their own building.
The Minister of Environment, Professor Foday Moriba Jaward said that, CSSL has played vital roles in maintaining environments in sierra Leone. He said that, his ministry had been working with the organization to see that there are safer environments in the nation.
Complained of lot of encroachment, massive deforestation and poaching of wildlife etc. by the inhabitants.
He noted that one of the causes of the challenges to conservation in Sierra Leone is lack of education and awareness about harmful activities to the environment.
He added that the ministry and CSSL have taken the chance to monitor and educate people how to manage the environment and forest. He emphasized, “We always tell them that, whenever they cut down one tree, they should replace it with three trees, and we also tell them that not every forest they should go to kill animals.”
Moriba explained that, there were lions, and other animals which attracted tourists, but they are no longer in existence because of the actions of the people.
He said that the loss of some of Sierra Leone’s unique animal species has driven some of the tourists in the country. He said, “Tourists usually come to see some of those animals but since they have been driven away, the tourists had also stopped coming into the country.”
By Ibrahim S. Bangura
29/09/2020 ISSUE NO: 7919