The ministry of Forestry and the Environment in collaboration with  stakeholders on Sunday began a six-day intensive training on enhancing stakeholder participation in National Forest Programme (NFP) at Tendaba Camp in Kiang Central, Lower River Region.

In his opening remarks, Lamin Nyabally, permanent secretary at the ministry of Forestry and the Environment, acknowledged the vital role the forestry sector plays in augmenting rural incomes through the sustainable utilisation of   forest resources. According to him, it is in recognition of this  that Sustainable Forestry Management has become an integral part of The Gambia's poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), MDG's and Vision 2020.

He emphasised the need for more partnership, noting that the ministry of Forestry and the Environment is of the belief that there is the need to promote collaboration between the private sector, state and local communities.Nyabally commended the president, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yaya Jammeh on his exemplary and dynamic leadership. According to him, the Gambian leader has demonstrated his commitment to the preservation of the country's flora and fauna on numerous occasions through the provision of a sound policy on environment, community and individual rights.He commended the FAO for their continuous support to the Government of The Gambia.

For his part, Samko Nget, the focal person at the ministry of Forestry and the Environment, called for more collaboration and partnership adding that the  fund is meant to enable government and civil society to successfully manage and develop  Forest conservation Programmes.

Speaking earlier, Kanimang Camara, director of the Natural Resource Consulting (NACO-GAMBIA), gave an overview of the training. According to him, the objective of the training is to ensure that stakeholders understand  the country's National Forestry Programme, context, rationale and principles as well as its dynamics and relevance to collaborative Natural Resource Management and sustainable livelihood.

He added that, the training will enable participants to examine or reflect on different participatory contextual planning approaches in order to make informed decisions on  forestry. It will also introduce participants to the principles and skills on participatory Natural Resource Management processes  and serve as a guide for multi-stakeholders on the National Forestry Programme.

In his welcoming remarks, Demba Sanyang, chief of Kiang Central, deputising for the governor, Lamin Waa-Juwara, described the training as not only timely but also relevant to the country's quest for  sustainable development.He urged the participants to take the training seriously by participating fully and disseminate the information gained from the training to others.