By Haddy Touray
The Director of Forestry, Lt. Colonel Salifu Corr, has declared the 2025/2026 period as a zero-tolerance season for bushfires and charcoal production.
He warns that offenders will face the full force of the law, particularly in the Lower River Region (LRR) and Central River Region (CRR).
Lt. Col. Corr issued the warning during a nationwide tour of regional forestry nurseries on Tuesday and Wednesday, as the Department of Forestry prepares to raise 30 million Gmelina seedlings across the country.
He said LRR and CRR have recorded persistent cases of bushfires and charcoal burning during the December–January period, describing the situation as a serious threat to national forest cover and climate stability.
“There will be no compromise in the exploitation of our forests,” the forestry director said, noting that bushfires contribute significantly to climate change and environmental degradation.
Lt. Col. Corr urged residents of LRR and CRR to take collective ownership of their environment by serving as ambassadors for forest protection, stressing that healthy forests provide economic and social benefits for present and future generations.
According to him, the Department of Forestry has adopted a new approach to forest management, marking a departure from past practices that allowed illegal logging and other destructive activities to flourish.
“Business will not be as usual under my leadership,” he warned, adding that the department has strengthened its enforcement capacity with improved mobility and personnel to crack down on forest intruders nationwide.
He said bushfires are strictly prohibited and that anyone found engaging in the practice will be prosecuted in accordance with the Forestry Act. He also called on district authorities to treat bushfires as a serious criminal offence and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent.
Lt. Col. Corr further urged communities in LRR and CRR to remain vigilant and promptly report all illegal forest activities without compromise.
On charcoal production, he reminded the public that the practice has long been banned in The Gambia, stressing that only those with valid permits from regional forestry offices are allowed to engage in related activities. He warned that any illegally produced charcoal will be confiscated and legal action taken against offenders.
The forestry director also cautioned truck owners and drivers transporting timber to the Kombo areas to ensure they possess valid documentation, warning that any truck found without proper permits will be intercepted and impounded at the Kafuta Forestry Station in the West Coast Region.
He disclosed that about 20 soldiers have been deployed to support forestry operations and are currently scrutinizing all timber movements across the country.
Lt. Col. Corr praised forestry personnel for their commitment to protecting the country’s forest resources.
He said the department plans to sow five million Gmelina seedlings in each region, targeting a total of 30 million seedlings ahead of the rainy season, to replace lost forest cover. The seedlings will later be transplanted at community forests across the country.
He called on all citizens to begin raising seedlings ahead of the rains, noting that the initiative will help mitigate climate change and reduce forest degradation.
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By Haddy Touray The Director of Forestry, Lt. Colonel Salifu Corr, has declared the 2025/2026 period as a zero-tolerance…
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