The Bintang Bolong tributary used to have an extensive belt of mangrove forest on both sides of the river, which degenerated during the last 4 ? 5 decades leaving the numerous dead stumps as the remnants of the forest today. The extent of mangrove degradation along the Bintang Bolong is estimated to be more than 90% and have had big impacts on the local wildlife and agriculture. The loss of mangrove cover has had serious impacts: loss of habitat for fish species and reduced catches, less firewood availability, and loss of valuable farmland and rice fields due to salt water intrusion.

The project aims to propagate & plant thousands of mangrove propagules and other tree species to (re) create a green belt across rural Gambia that connects the mangrove forests of five communities in Kiang West namely; Sankandi, Dumbuto, Keneba, Jiffarong and Bajana.
The overall goals is to empower the local rural communities and advance several sustainable development goals such as ?SDG1: No Poverty", ?SDG 13: Climate Action?, ?SDG 14: Life Below water", ?SDG 15: Life on Land, ?SDG 5: Gender Equality?, ?SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and communities and ?SDG 17: Partnership For Goals".

The Benefits of Mangrove Planting for these communities will include:
? Mangrove to serves as wind and storm brakers
? Stop Salt intrusions into women rice farms
? Availability of fish
? Breeding ground for fish
? Oyster farming

This project as a matter of fact is designed with and for people with disabilities (PWDs) to enlist their participation in climate change discussions and activities. The project targets 50 disable women (Community Climate Communicators in Kiang West and 30 youth(Volunteers) from Sankandi as well as other 100 women and men (Community Climate Communicators) from across Kiang West District as direct beneficiaries while another 1000 people as indirect beneficiaries.

Specific Objectives
? To empower local communities in Kiang West especially those around KWNP to take ownership and responsibility for the protection of the mangrove ecology to ensure its sustainability to provide long-term benefits;
? To reduce deforestation and preserve the Kiang West National Park;
? To improve the livelihoods of vulnerable women and men in five communities around Kiang West National Park;
? To strengthen the capacity and understanding of women including persons with disabilities and youth on the effects of climate change;

This project will contribute to the SGP Country Programme Strategy through gender mainstreaming, inclusion of youths and persons with disabilities, and promote community based conservation of threatened ecosystem and sustainable fisheries and food security.

Project Activities
The following are the main planned activities, and where there should be sub activities, as specified in the approved work plan and budget.

1. Planting of 50,000 Mangroves;
2. Training of 100 youth and women on the effects of climate change;
3. Community Climate Change Radio Talk Shows;
4. Disbursement of Revolving Funds for 50 Dialable women;
5. Training of 30 youth on modern Beekeeping practices;
6. Establishment of 50 beehives;
7. Project Monitoring and Evaluation.