Residents of Kiang Nioro have called for action against illegal loggers in their community forest, amid destructive deforestation.

According to the community, the forest which was once a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and a source of immense beauty, has fallen prey to increased illegal logging in recent months.

“Amidst the rising concerns over the forest’s well-being and mounting frustration with the perceived inefficiency of the Forest Authority in addressing the issue, residents decided to take matters into their own hands,” the Village Development Committee said in a statement. 

The residents of Nioro Jattaba village have organised themselves into groups to patrol the forest and to stop the illegal logging. 

The groups uncover and impound logs of trees illegally extracted from their forest.  

Yahya Nyassi at the Dumbuto Forestry base responsible for Nioro Jattaba acknowledged some challenges confronting forest protection in the region. 

He however assured his office’s commitment in addressing the illegal logging activities.  

“This is a big step. If the community is mobilising themselves in such a big move, it is an advantage [for the safety of the forest]. We appreciate their efforts [because] if every community is capable of doing this, then things will be easier for us,” Nyassi said.

He pledged to empower the Nioro and her surrounding communities with understanding of the Forestry Act, as he looks forwards to a more active participation of the rural residents in repelling illegal activities in the forest.

Environmental activists have also joined the chorus of dissent, calling for an independent inquiry into the matter.

They argue that the primary focus should be on identifying and apprehending the culprits responsible for the illegal logging, rather than diverting attention towards the ownership of the confiscated logs.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba