Project Detail

Sustainable management of community forest

The project seeks to manage on a sustainable basis, the forest belonging to the village of Kebeba. The project will engage the community members in the planting of about 10, 000 seedlings within the forest in a bid to improve the tree stand and forest cover for conservation purposes and increase the ecosystem goods and services for the community.The project also seeks to build the capacity of the community to protect and management the forest on a sound basis. The project also aims to improve the livelihood of the community by establishing fruit tree orchards.

Loading map...

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Keneba Youth Association

Country:

Gambia

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP5 - Y2 (Jul 12 – Jun 13)

Grant Amount:

US$ 20,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 2,000.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 3,500.00

Project Number:

GMB/SGP/OP5/Y2/CORE/BD/2012/05

Start Date:

11/2012

End Date:

12/2013

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Photo Gallery

View photo gallery

Project Characteristics and Results

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

A one day community sensitization meeting was held for all the community members to raise awareness on the importance of the forest both locally and globally. The effects of deforestation on the climate and the detrimental effects of unsustainable exploitation of natural forest resources were highlighted.

Capacity - Building Component

A one day training on M & E, Project and financial Management was held for the project personnel and VDC members to equip them with the skills needed to continue the activities on their end . There is ongoing collaboration with the Forestry Officers from the ministry of forestry and the Environment for technical advice and assistance and this is to be continued post project implementation.

Project sustainability

As this is a village initiated project, continued commitment is what is vital to sustainability. Thus a project steering committee set up by the village and the VDC are tasked with the role of managing the project post implementation as this project is not an end in itself. In their roles, they are to put strategies in place to ensure the objectives are realized. They are to continue motivating the community for a sustained commitment.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Part of the strategy is in the long term to use trees in the community forest for income generating activities such as beekeeping. Planting early maturing trees that can be used for fire wood and easily replace without defeating the purpose of the tree planting is also envisage to provide income for some members of the community. The fruit trees are also meant to be a source of food as well as to generate some income from the sales of the fruits.

Notable Community Participation

This is a village initiated project led by the village head, the village youth group and the VDC. As a result, a strong sense of community ownership has been established from inception of the project. The community set up a Village Representative committee as the management structure that meets regularly to review and discuss progress during project implementation. A notable number of the community members have volunteered to serve as forest Rangers to protect and curb illegal activities in the community forest. Hundreds of community members including men, women and youths turned out and actively participated in the fire belt clearing and tree planting events.

Gender Focus

Whereas the men of the community took initiative for this project, the women groups were also mobilized and they actively participated in the implementation process.

Project Results

-one community sensitization event completed at the comunity level on how to protect and manage the community forest.

-a clearing exercise covering 200x330 metres (6 hectares) of community forest and creating a 5m fire belt around the area completed.The area was clearly demarcated and mapped as the intended community forest reserve.

-Procurement of basic office equipment of a simple desk, chairs and cabinet file in support of the operations of the association was completed.

- The association conducted a staff training on M&E and financial management to enhance its operational capacity.

- Regular monitoring visits to the project site were conducted by the local steering committee set up to monitor project progress.

- In August 2013, 16, 000 gmelina seedlings were planted in the community forest reserve. An additional 1, 200 mahogany (African rosewood) seedlings were also planted successfully in the forest reserve.
- The association also planted 1, 200 fruit tress in the village and surroundings to improve food security and improve nutritional status of the community.

+ View more

Back to search results

Countries

Regions

Project Snapshot

Photo Gallery

SGP Country office contact

Address