By Isatou Jawara
The Department of Parks and Wildlife in collaboration with the European Union recently wrapped up a project meant to support community based environmental organisations to enhance biodiversity within the wetland areas. The Project was implemented by the Department of Parks and Wildlife with technical support from various CBOs and partners.
In a recent wrap-up meeting and capacity building forum, organised by the Department, the project officials showcased successes and highlighted key impacts of climate change wetland areas.
Makasutu Wildlife Trust (MWT), Sahel Wetland Concern (SWC) and other partners have extolled the European Research Institute (ERI) for the successful implementation of the Coastal Observer Network for Monitoring the Effects of Climate Change along The Gambia River (CONNECTING).
The project was co-funded by European Union through NAOSU - National Authorising Officer Support Unit, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs -The Gambia, within the framework of the GCCA+ Climate Resilient Coastal and Marine Zone Project for The Gambia.
At the phasing-out ceremony of the European Research Institute component of the CONNECTING project, Lamin Kuru Kongira, Director of Makasutu Wildlife Trust (MWT), assured that his agency would always support whenever the need arises.
He said the project has given special attention to building the capacity of the concerned rural population to monitor, protect and conserve biodiversity to sustainably manage the remaining natural resources. This he added, is done by undertaking education campaigns and providing intensive training in monitoring the River Gambia coastal areas.
Kongira further noted that the overall objective of the project was to enhance effective collection and transmission of data on environmentally significant events and biophysical parameters to the National Environment Agency to help coastal communities along The Gambia River to adapt to impacts of climate change.
Kawsu Jammeh, Director of SWC, expressed gratitude to all partners and sponsors of the project, noting that although the project is now phased-out yet they have to find another way to continue the monitoring.
