As Deputy Minister Frowns at Deforestation… Calls for Forest & Animal Protection Intensifies

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture II, Lovell Thomas has officially handed over the site to the contractors in Valunia Chiefdom, Bo District for the construction of an Administrative building and staff quarters.  (Photo: Police Officers in Makeni have arrested two foreign vehicles with Guinea registration for carrying log woods suspected to have illegally cut down in the forest reserved areas)

He told the people of Valunia that they were lucky to have animals that cannot be found in other areas. The Minister encouraged them to protect the animals and the entire forest so that they can be rewarded. He advised the people to be watchdogs of the forest and animals and the building to be constructed that worth one billion Leones adding that that would pave the way for tourist to come. “With this project you stand to gain a lot and so our advice is for you to embrace it with open hands”, he asserted. He warned against deforestation as one of its adverse effects is unfavorable climatic conditions.

The Deputy Chief Agriculture Officer, ShekuTejan Kamara spoke on the importance to protect and preserve the forest for touristic purposes.

The Project Coordinator also doubles as Deputy Director of Forestry, Keith Garneth said the Project exists in three areas; Otamba Kilimi National Park, Kangari Hills and Loma pointing out that these areas have been marked by government as reserved areas. He said Kangari Hills have so many animals including elephants,which is why they protect these areas as no hunting zones.

Keith Garneth revealed that the project consists of three components-revising the laws, building of management plan for the various communities on how to manage the various forest reserved areas and a community action plan.

By Abdul R. Bedor Kamra

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