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• STOP PRESS

• June 2006
• WABSA Operation Desertification Control  the North Bank.

• Dutch bird tour company, Stitchting Vogelreizen, have donated one thousand euros to fund the new WABSA project in Kartong.

• Birdseekers and Birdfinders (british birdwatching tour companies) have helped to fund the WABSA Marakissa Project.

• Our thanks to the many visitors to the Birdfair who donated binoculars, telescopes a slide projector and screen for use by the WABSA educational projects based in local schools,

• WABSA report that the Bansang Quarry project to protect the Red-throated Bee-eater colony was up and running by the beginning of December 2003.  In 2004 the fencing through the pool has been improved and work will be starting shortly on the provision of a hut.  Gambia Birding has provided the bulk of the funding.

• The computer provided by Gambia Birding UK is now being put to good use by the Department of Parks and Wildlife management.

• The bicycles which we  donated to the Tanji Reserve are also being well used.

The problems of the Gambia are those of any country with a growing population and limited resources.  Some areas, for example the coast, are under particular pressure because of mass tourism and the expanding population. 

The Gambians showed great foresight in establishing the Abuku Nature Reserve  in 1968 thus ensuring that succeeding generations of Gambians and visitors would have the opportunity to appreciate the Guinea Savannah forest that originally covered this area of the country.  Other reserves have been established at  Tanji (Karinti) Bird Reserve and Bao-bolon wetland reserve. Niumi National Park (which includes Ginak Island) and Kiang West National Park provide protection for other species. 

Internationally attitudes to conservation are changing, with a greater appreciation of the need for local communities to see the tangible benefits of conserving natural resources.  There are a number of projects in the Gambia which are proving successful and we hope these will be replicated and developed.

• Local sanctuary projects.  The West African Bird Study Association (a group of local Gambian birders , including many of the local guides) have agreed with the local community at Brufut to create such a protected area as part of their campaign to protect what remains of the coastal forest.  They  charge visitors to enter the reserve, a proportion of this goes to the local community, providing an incentive to protect the woodland. The Gambia Birding Group UK, having made a small initial donation, encouraged WABSA to develop the area and regrets that at the moment a disagreement between WABSA and the Exmoor Falconry Centre, who provided substantial fundingand there is a dispute about who is running the project.  Financial accountability was one of the issues raised and we understand that WABSA have now appointed a committee to oversee this
• .A  WABSA project has been set up at at Bansang Quarry  where the local community have agreed to help protect the Red-throated Bee-eater colony.  Half the area has been  fenced off to protect the birds, with access to the rest of the quarry continuing for building materials.  The area is staffed by a members of a local youth group; the entry fees  go directly to the local community.  The Gambia Birding Group UK has funded the cost of the fencing and a shelter,  Birdfinders having funded the signs.
• WABSA have also established a scheme at  Marakissa Woods which are suffering encroachment at a frightening rate.  The initial funding for this project was provided primarily by Birdseekers.

• Community Forests to provide firewood for local people

 
• Operation Desertification Control 

An item in the Daily Observer for June 20 2006 reported on this WABSA project to plant over ten thousand  seedlings of drought resistant trees. 

The project operates in seven villages in the North Bank and Central River Divisions.  Beneficiaries include the communities of Kerr Mbuguma, Bali, Buranya and No-Kunda in the North Bank Division. The Lamin-Koto, Bani and Niani-Kunting communities, all in the Central River Division, also benefited. They were given rakes, watering cans, Beehives, cutlasses and other materials.  The paper reports that Lamin Jobarteh, director of WABSA said that the majority of Gambians already feel the impact of this vicious cycle of desertification, as it has now become a real life problem which threatens the livelihood of the rural population. The desertification project in Northern Gambia, the area most prone to desert condition, he said, is funded by the Netherlands Committee and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Dry Area Region (NC-IUCN/DAS). He said that planned activities for the project will centre on sensitising the participation of rural communities on sound forest management and its rational utilisation.  It is also meant to support local communities by encouraging income generating activities like beekeeping, establishment of woodlots and agro-biodiversity.

It was good to read that young school based members of WABSA from St.Augustine’s, St.Joseph’s, Presentation Girl’s, Gambia High, Muslim and SoS Heimen Meiner Senior Secondary Schools are also raising funds for this project.  Taking an imaginative approach they recently ran a fashion show, using the event not only to raise funds but also to spread the message of the dangers of desertification.
 

• Makusutu Culture Forest.  This is a a successful  venture that introduces visitors to the the local culture and wildlife. Employing about 80 people the project has the active support of the local community who have a vested interest in protecting the woodland. 

• Makasutu Wildlife Trust.  A newish NGO which aims to help protect the wildlife  and wild habitats of The Gambia and to encourage a greater awareness, appreciation and participation in all aspects of biodiversity, its conservation and sustainable use , and the environment.  For information about membership and the activities contact the trust at PO Box 2164, Serrekunda, The Gambia.  email: drumohq@qanet.gm.
• Eco tourism - This is recognised as an important strand in future developments, minimising the adverse impact of tourism and maximising the benefits to local communities. 
• Smaller scale projects such as the restoration of the Botanical Gardens and the planting of hotel grounds with an appropriate mix of trees that will attract birds.
• Projects such as the Brufut Youths and Environmental Group which involve young people in cleaning up and protecting their local environment.  This group is currently seeking financial assistance for basic  equipment such as spades and wheelbarrows.  Further information is available from Famarah Drammeh who is based at the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management wildlife@gamtel.gm

The Gambia Birding Group does not see itself as having the resources to set up and run Gambia based projects but will encourage members and users of this web site to contribute direct to a variety of projects within The Gambia.  There is no one "right answer" to conservation and we will support a range of approaches that recognise that conservation needs to have definable economic benefits if it is to be successful.

Which leads to an important point.  By visiting The Gambia you have the opportunity to contribute to this process by buying goods and services from local people.  Do so with good grace, it seems utterly preferable to pay for services genuinely rendered rather than throwing a handful of biros at children who should be at school.  And no, this doesn't mean that you should put up with "bird bums" who know nothing about bird watching.  Using good guides and drivers who appreciate the birds of their country and understand the differing needs of birdwatchers who come to see, photograph, film and record the birds is an important contribution to the country's economy. 

Your contribution to the local up-river and north bank economy is particularly valuable. With many tourists limited to the developed coast the further flung areas get little benefit from tourism. 

We hope that naturalists who visit the Gambia will appreciate their good fortune in being able to travel and see such diversity and recognise that they have an opportunity to make a positive contribution to protecting natural habitats.