Land & Forest Use:
Apart from Gambian forestry's
critical importance to the biological diversity of a number of
life systems, it also also has natural resources which provide
vital energy, materials for the building industry, food and medical
drugs to the population. 43% of the country’s entire land area
(505,000 hectares) is under forest cover with woodland making
up for 10% and the remainder consisting of savanna and mangroves
which are found along the Gambia
River.
The mangroves system is estimated to cover 60,000 to 67,000 ha.
There are 66 natural forest park areas covering a total area of
34,000 ha.
There are currently 6,462 ha of forest land under the management
of community projects. The forest ecosystem has significantly
changed in the last 2 to 3 decades from being a dense and highly
biologically diverse environment to its present scant state. High
population growth is the single most important reason for the
state of deforestation. The Forest Policy (1995-2005) aims to
maintain, reserve and develop 30% of forest land resources of
the country ensuring that 75% of these forest areas are managed
by local people in their communities.
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Deforestation:
At the turn of the last century the Gambia's land territory was
extensively covered in pristine forests. However, with the advent
of an expanding population, the balance between humans and the
environment became destabilised and a process of de-forestation
had begun.
The main cause of this deforestation was the unchecked use of
fires which systematically destroyed most of the vegetation cover.
The other causes were and are still the felling of trees
for firewood, demarcating fences, building purposes, and clearing
for the purpose of grazing livestock.
Secondary savannas are characterised by less diversity made up
of mainly fire resistant vegetation. Their increase is a direct
consequence of regular fires which do not allow the restoration
of the original vegetation cover. Other effects and impacts of
uncontrolled bush and forest fires include:
• soil and water degradation due to the release of minerals stored
in the burnt biomass, and the deterioration of physical composition
and chemical soil properties;
• an alteration of the micro-climate;
• change and loss of habitat for the indigenous flora and fauna
population;
• loss of biomass which could be used for animal fodder, fuel,
compost, etc.;
• air pollution.
The process of deforestation is still going on. It is steadily
reducing the biological and economic productivity and viability
of the Gambian forest ecosystems as well as that of the surrounding
croplands and will lead to irreversible losses of land productivity
if it cannot be halted and reversed. The main cause of wildlife
/ biodiversity loss is habitat destruction. Poaching/ illegal
hunting is also a contributory factor.
Farmers Attitudes:
A number of research studies have been conducted in recent years
and they indicate that most of the Gambian farmers can well identify
between the past and present environmental situation and are aware
of the consequences and effects of deforestation. However, they
have been farming for generations and may not have thought about
modern, new techniques to preserve soil fertility and protecting
land. Others may simply not have any means nor time or both, because
of more important genuine businesses and social obligations. Land
borrowers are constrained to develop the land they cultivate due
to the traditional land tenure system. Marginal groups of the
society often do not have access to land at all. They are forced
to clear forest land for crop production or depend on forest products
exploitation in order to survive. This can be in the form
of selling firewood or poaching.
International Conventions:
The Government of The Gambia has ratified the international Convention
to Combat Desertification (CCD), the the UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCC) and
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), of the United
Nations.
Source: Dept. of Forestry
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Economy Sectors
Department
Geography 
History of Forestry
Wildlife
