Keneba Youth Association for Environmental Development and Sustainability (KYAEDS) has on Saturday, August 11 embarked on tree planting exercise to protect the village forest cover at Kiang West District, in the Lower River Region.
The environmental activists supported by soldiers from Pakaliba Military Camp and well wishers planted more than 13, 000 melina and 10, 000 mahogany trees to boost and protect the village forest cover.
Mr Abdoulie Minteh, President of KYAEDS commended the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for their support, saying the exercise is driven by environmental damages.
“The exercise is driven by the level of environmental damages of tree cuttings, bushfires, natural and other human activities,” Minteh lamented.
He further complained about the activities inimical to the ecosystem which he said is undermining sustainable agricultural practice in the village.
Kebba Ceesay, one of the KYAEDS youth leaders posited that tree planting is part of solutions to climate change which he said causes environmental degradation in developing countries as the Gambia is not an exception.
The President of Keneba Women Association, Ms Pakaya Ceesay said she is extremely happy and proud of her community and people who made the tree planting exercise a success.
Mr Babanding Sanyang, representative of the Department of Forestry described the exercise as a remarkable example for the betterment of the future.
“The tree planting exercise is a step in the right direction to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” Sanyang told the villagers.
Bakary Corr, a representative of Pakaliba Military Camp hailed the people of Keneba village for their good civil–military relations while commending all those who have contributed to make the tree planting exercise successful.
Meanwhile, Hijinkay Danso, the village head of Keneba was also present at the planting exercise.
