Gambia: Forestry Sector in Gambia

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.

De-Forestation:
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.

• 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 and release of extra CO2 into the atmosphere thus adding to the 'green house effect'.