MONROVIA – The Forestry Development Authority (FDA), with support from its partners, has launched a new initiative aimed at sustaining forest conservation in southeastern Liberia.
The US$3.65 million EU-funded “SUSTAIN” project focuses on forest conservation and its habitats, particularly wildlife. This initiative is a significant boost to the FDA’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Liberia remains a major hub of forestry in the sub-region and a key player in climate change mitigation, benefiting both livelihoods and national development.
The Forestry Training Institute (FTI) and several partners, including the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL), and the Universal Outreach Foundation, were key participants at the launch event on March 13. The ceremony was held at Sapo National Park in Jalay Town, Sinoe County.
Madam Nora Garmai Bowier, Deputy Managing Director for Community, Conservation, and Carbon at the FDA, delivered remarks on behalf of the agency. She emphasized the European Union’s invaluable contribution to Liberia’s forestry sector, particularly its ongoing support for Sapo National Park, Grebo-Krahn National Park, and the proposed Kwa National Park.
“Sapo National Park (SNP) is Liberia’s first national park. It was established to preserve Liberia’s unique plant and animal species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world,” she stated.
Madam Bowier urged the people of Sinoe County to “eat some and keep some” for future generations while condemning illegal miners and foreigners accused of contributing to the park’s destruction through illicit activities.
According to the FDA official, efforts are underway to address illegal activities in SNP. She expressed gratitude for the European Union’s support through the Government of Liberia and its partners in increasing the number of community eco-guards, strengthening joint patrols, and building critical infrastructure. “These are the initiatives the SUSTAIN project will be implementing,” she noted.
She further stressed the importance of co-managing the park, stating that communities must collaborate with the FDA to overcome conservation challenges. “The responsibility also rests on the communities because the FDA cannot do it alone. Most of Sapo National Park is under threat, but with community cooperation, we can remove illegal miners from the park,” she said.
While encouraging community engagement in conservation, Madam Bowier also warned about the negative impacts of illegal mining, which she said could deprive communities of forest resources in the future.
“The government takes community livelihoods very seriously and is working hard to improve them. We understand that young people need jobs, and the government is exploring employment opportunities in various sectors. Conservation and development must be balanced—you cannot ask people to protect the forest without offering them means of livelihood,” she said.
She emphasized the economic benefits of forest conservation, explaining that protecting forests through carbon credit programs could generate significant revenue. “We can benefit greatly from our forests if we preserve them. The SUSTAIN project will establish Village Savings and Loan schemes, support women’s conservation enterprises, and provide agricultural and livelihood programs in communities surrounding Sapo National Park,” she added.
Madam Bowier underscored the importance of continuous dialogue between the FDA and communities to ensure the forest’s long-term sustainability. She urged citizens to unite and focus on protecting the forest while balancing conservation with community development.
Also speaking at the event, Victor Kpaiseh, FDA’s Deputy Director for Administration and Finance, praised the Jalay Town community for committing to forest conservation.
“The community has proven that they are ready for conservation, and we are prepared to support them. Those who consume everything today will have nothing left for tomorrow,” Kpaiseh remarked.
He urged the community to resist anyone attempting to destroy the forest and assured them of the FDA’s continued support.
The EU Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez, commended the Sapo National Park and Sapo Ecolodge, expressing appreciation for the community’s conservation efforts despite the temptation of illegal mining.
Ambassador Deprez urged the FDA to take decisive action against illegal miners, calling for immediate collaboration between the FDA, law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and local communities.
She also highlighted the importance of preserving forests, natural resources, and cultural heritage for future generations. Additionally, she emphasized that local communities must take ownership of conservation efforts.
The ambassador explained the new EU regulation on deforestation-free products, noting that Liberian farmers wishing to sell products in the EU must prove that their commodities do not originate from recently deforested land or contribute to forest degradation.
Dr. Annika Hillers, Country Director for the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, expressed gratitude for the EU’s support, highlighting the vital role of local communities in implementing the SUSTAIN project.
“This project will continue to promote community eco-guard and auxiliary programs, bio-monitoring, conservation enterprises, agriculture, livelihood support, scholarships, village savings and loan schemes, and community-based ecotourism,” she said.
She added that the project would also support infrastructure development for both communities and the FDA. The Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, which leads the SUSTAIN project, expressed confidence that with local community cooperation, the initiative would achieve its desired impact.
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