By Foday S. Bangura
A large-scale reforestation initiative has been launched to restore the Outamba Kilimi National Park in northwestern Sierra Leone, near the Guinea border. This critical sanctuary, home to species such as western chimpanzees and forest elephants, is under threat due to illegal mining, logging, poaching, and encroachment. The tree planting effort, led by Tacugama with support from EUCORD, seeks to reverse environmental degradation while providing sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
On 20th July 2024, community members from 11 villages planted over 6,000 trees, including species such as tamarind, cashew, mango, and moringa. These economic trees aim to deter harmful environmental practices by offering communities alternative sources of income. According to Pa Alimamy Momoh Kamara, section chief of Ganya, this initiative is regenerating degraded areas and conserving the environment, marking the first time local communities have received livelihood support of this kind.
The project has created employment for women and youth, with nursery technicians employed to care for seedlings. Mohamed Turay, youth leader of Fondokorie, expressed gratitude for the stipends provided and the hope the project has brought to the underdeveloped Tambaka Chiefdom. The initiative has garnered widespread support from local stakeholders, including women’s groups who praised the empowerment opportunities created through the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA).
This reforestation effort not only promises to restore the park’s biodiversity but also aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict by expanding natural habitats for animals. By engaging communities in conservation, the project is securing the park’s future as both an ecological haven and a source of sustainable economic development.
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