The Department of Forestry in Kerewan in partnership with the Gambia Creative Minds (GCM) a Turkish charitable organisation recently planted over 3000 trees at Balli Mandinka village in North Bank Region (NBR).

Speaking at the exercise, Lamin Queen Jammeh, the governor of NBR underscored the importance government attaches to the protection and regeneration of the country’s forests. He noted that the planting of trees would enhance global climatic changes and improve soil cover and by extension enhance productivity.

The acting director of Forestry, Sarjo Fatajo, stressed the importance his department attaches in building partnership with organisations, to complement government’s efforts in forest protection and regeneration of trees. He said the trees planted by the GCM in partnership with the regional forestry office in Kerewan clearly shows government’s commitment in reforestation. Fatajo finally urged the community of Balli Mandinka to be proactive in protecting the trees from stray animals and bush fire.

For his part, Njundu Darboe, the focal person of GCM in The Gambia expressed their commitment to the protection and preservation of the forest. He said the planting of these trees in Balli Mandinka was a follow-up to similar exercises held in Kerr Ardo and Kinteh Kunda Janneh in Lower Baddibou, with the ultimate aim of contributing to reforestation and regeneration of forest species. He thanked the Department of Forestry for their support and cooperation.

For his part, Ebou Janha, the Regional Forestry officer thanked GCM for their continuous support to the Department of Forestry in contributing to reforestation and sustainable land management. He also disclosed that his department plans to plant one million trees annually.

The alkalo of Balli Mandinka thanked the Department of Forestry and GCM for the support and assured them that the communities are very much committed to the protection of the forest and illegal logging.