The Raina Suu’tu (Senya Forest) in Gunjur, The Gambia, once a thriving sanctuary of biodiversity, has been wantonly destroyed by reckless deforestation. The once-protected forest, known for its rich flora and fauna, has fallen victim to unchecked tree cutting driven by greed and selfish interests.
Gunjur’s Once-Thriving Forest Now a Victim of Greed
What was once a lush green canopy, providing shade, clean air, and ecological balance, is now vanishing at an alarming rate. The destruction is not just an environmental disaster but a cultural and historical loss for the people of Gunjur and beyond.
Local Authorities, Government and Forestry Department Accused of Complicity
Many residents and environmental activists believe that the Local Authorities, Gambian government and its Forestry Department have failed in their duty to protect this vital natural resource. Despite the forest’s long-standing protected status, the continued deforestation suggests either neglect or complicity on the part of the authorities.
Raina (Senya) Forest was purchased and protected by a German national who spent many years in Gunjur the said Forest. Years after the German left, the forest continued to be protected. However, in recent years, some of the people from the family who sold the land (Forest) to Raina have started claiming the forest - allowing illegal sand mining, cutting of trees and selling of parts of the forest.
Local environmentalists have raised concerns over illegal logging, illegal sand mining and the commercial exploitation of the forest, yet little action has been taken to curb the destruction. This has fueled suspicions that powerful interests may be behind the devastation, operating with impunity while the government turns a blind eye.
The Banjul Declaration
“It is a sobering reflection that in a relatively short period of our history most of our larger wildlife species have disappeared together with much of the original forest cover. The survival of the wildlife still remaining with us and the setting aside of protected habitats for them is the concern of all of us. It would be tragic if this priceless natural heritage, the product of millions of years of evolution, should be further endangered or lost for want of proper concern. This concern is a duty we owe ourselves, to our great African heritage and to the world. Thus I solemnly declare that my government pledges its untiring efforts to conserve for now and posterity as wide a spectrum as possible of our remaining fauna and flora.”
The Impact: Environmental and Community Consequences
The loss of Raina Suu’tu will have severe consequences for the environment and local communities:
1. Loss of Biodiversity – The forest was home to a variety of plant and animal species, many of which are now at risk due to habitat destruction.
2. Climate Change Acceleration – Trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Their removal contributes to rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns.
3. Livelihoods at Risk – Many local communities depend on the forest for resources such as medicinal plants, fruits, and traditional practices.
4. Water Scarcity – Forests play a key role in water retention and preventing desertification. Their destruction can lead to lower water tables and drier conditions.
What Can Be Done?
As the destruction continues, local environmental activists and concerned citizens must take a stand. Several possible actions include:
• Public Awareness Campaigns – Educating the public on the consequences of deforestation can help build resistance to illegal logging.
• Community Reforestation Efforts – Engaging in tree-planting programs to restore lost vegetation.
• Legal Action and Advocacy – Pressuring the Gambian government to enforce forestry laws and hold those responsible accountable.
• International Attention – Bringing global awareness to the crisis may attract support from environmental organisations.
The destruction of Raina Suu’tu (Forest) is a stark reminder of the growing environmental crisis in The Gambia. If nothing is done, the country risks losing more of its precious natural heritage to short-term greed. The government must take decisive action to protect what remains and restore what has been lost. The people of Gunjur, environmental activists, and concerned citizens must unite to demand justice for the forest before it is too late.
Will The Gambia allow another ecological tragedy to go unchecked? The future of Raina Suu’tu depends on the choices made today.
Comentarios