Kiang Keneba Youth Embarked on Histoeic Tree Planting

Kiang Keneba Youth Embark on Historic Tree Planting

By Pa Modou Cham

Keneba Youth Association for Environmental Development and Sustainability (KYAEDS) has recently embarked on a historic tree planting exercise in Keneba village in Kiang West district, Lower River region.

The village youth with the support of soldiers from Pakaliba Military Camp, Jarra, Lower River Region and well-wishers planted about 13, 000 gmelina trees to protect and boost the village’s forest cover.

The association’s environmental initiative embraced by the whole community of Keneba and beyond is registered under the community forestry project under the Ministry of Forestry and Environment.

According to the President of KYAEDS, Abdoulie Minteh, the tree planting exercise was driven by the level of environmental damages as a result of cutting down of trees, bush fire, natural and other human activities which necessitates replacement. He added that activities inimical to the ecosystem undermine sustainable agricultural practice in the settlement.

He commended the Department of Forestry and Environment under the Minister of Environment and Forestry for their support.

Kebba Janneh Ceesay, also youth leader at KYAEDS said tree planting is a very good mitigating factor for climate change. He buttressed that Climate Change causes environmental degradation in many developing countries and The Gambia not an exception.

Representative of the Department of Forestry, Mr. Babanding Sanyang described the exercise as a remarkable example of a community coming together to make a change for the betterment of everyone’s future.

Hailing the efforts of the youth association Sanyang said “The tree planting exercise is a step in the right direction towards achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) 13 and 15”.

He commended the community of Kiang for taking good care of their forest, cautioning them to be fire belting the forest on an annual basis to prevent the calamity of bush fire.

“What an example we are showing to the younger generation, those that we will rely on to make positive changes for all our futures. From small trees grow big forest,” he noted.

In her part the president of Keneba Women association Pakaya Ceesay hailed the historic tree planting event to restore the depleted forest and replace some needed trees in the forest.

“I am extremely proud of the community and all the people who came together to make this tree planting exercise successful.” She added.

Bakary Corr, a representative from The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) commended all those who have contributed their quota towards making the tree planting a successful event.
“I humbly thank all the people of Keneba for their wonderful civil-military relationship with GAF.”