Community Leaders Rally to Safeguard Wetlands in Greater Banjul Area
By Modou L. Badjie
On World Wetland Day, community leaders in the Kanifing Municipality are sounding a clarion call for robust measures to shield the wetlands within the Greater Banjul Area. The urgent need to protect these vital ecosystems from the perils of improper waste disposal, which endangers marine life, takes center stage.
Wetlands, occupying a mere six percent of the Earth’s surface, cradle over forty percent of the planet’s animal and plant species. Instituted in 1971, the Ramsar Convention designates February 2 as World Wetlands Day. Despite this global acknowledgment, the Gambia is wrestling with the challenge of preserving its wetlands, especially those nestled along the river corridors.
Communities along riverbanks and estuaries play a big role in polluting these vital water bodies. The rivers, teeming with diverse marine life and serving as a crucial source of livelihood for many, face threats from improper waste disposal. Although legal frameworks exist to curb such activities, areas like Ebo Town, Jeswang, and Tallinding River Ban continue to be battlegrounds against illegal dumping.
Habib ML. Ceesay, the Ward Councillor for Ebo Town/Jeshwang Ward, sheds light on the ongoing cleaning initiatives. He notes a shift in perception, with wetlands transforming from economic hubs to sources of pollution. As a community leader, Ceesay urges residents to halt illegal dumping along riversides, emphasizing collective responsibility for preserving the environment.
In the forefront of the battle to protect wetlands, Karamo Ceesay, Ward Councillor for Tallinding South, spearheads tree-planting exercises to rejuvenate mangroves in these ecosystems. He also initiates preventive measures against indiscriminate dumping, cautioning against actions that could prove detrimental to marine life.
In the collaborative effort to protect wetlands, Ceesay engages with various departments, including parks and wildlife, physical planning, and traditional leaders. Lamin Camara, the Anti-Littering Manager at the Kanifing Municipal Council, outlines the ongoing efforts to combat wetland degradation and curb illicit dumping. The municipality’s commitment is further underscored by legal actions taken against perpetrators.
The 2024 World Wetland Day theme, “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing,” underscores the interconnectedness between wetlands and various aspects of human well-being. Serving as vital freshwater reservoirs and hosting over 100,000 species, wetlands play a pivotal role in sustaining physical, mental, and environmental health.