The head of the Communication and Extending Unite at the Department of Forestry has underscored that forest resources such as trees can serve as important mitigating factor in the reduction of climate change.

In an interview with Bekai Njie, Babanding Sanyang, the former Regional Forestry Officer of Upper River Region, believes that trees serve as carbon stink by storing carbon in them that helps in climate mitigation.

Climate change, for years now remains the world’s most environmental problem as governments and NGOs are trying to figure out all mechanisms to sustainably ensure its mitigation and adaptation. 

However, The Gambia’s forest expert also holds the view that climate is a global concern and that it is highly related to mainly environmental factors. “We believed that the destruction of the environment especially the forest cover and the emission of the greenhouse gas into the atmosphere have caused problem in the climate setting which resulted to so many things into the atmosphere,” he stated.

He reiterated that forest can serve as a great deal in climate change mitigation, but quick to underline that over 90% of the Gambian population largely depend on the forest resources, something he believes can also result to deforestation. 

Outlining how forest resources can be wisely managed, Mr. Sanyang maintained that the best way of managing forest resources is to embark on sustainable management of the natural forest as well as establishment of plantations in order to reduce the heavy dependency on the forest cover. He also assured that the Department of Forestry would continue its advocacy tool by engaging communities to involve in sustainable management of natural forest resources, while on the other hand collaborate with stakeholders and engage them in the same regard.

“In adaptation and mitigation of climate change, we are calling on the communities to plant more tress in order to reduce the impact of climate change such as the sea level rise, water erosions, windstorm, drought and other climate change characteristics,” he underlined.

Further commenting on the adaptation mechanisms, Mr. Sanyang hinted that there is still the need to raise awareness among people so that they can be resilient to the impact of climate shock. The up grading of climate early warning systems would better prepare the farming community and reduce the risk whenever it happen.  

“Instead of sinking we are emitting carbon as a result of frequent bush fires the country experiences during dry season annually. These have turned our forests to carbon emitters which translates the reverse functions of our forests.”