Illegal logging in The Gambia has emerged as a significant threat to both the country's ecology and economy, costing Africa up to $17 billion annually. The most trafficked wildlife product in this context is rosewood, with Africa's illegal exports to China skyrocketing from 40% in 2008 to a staggering 90% by 2018. Between 2017 and 2022, over 3 million tonnes of rosewood, valued at over $2 billion, were illicitly traded from West Africa to China. Notably, The Gambia exported 1.6 million rosewood trees from 2012 to 2020, a clear violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulations. [ce7b5a25]
The surge in illegal logging can be traced back to the rule of former President Yahya Jammeh (1996-2017), during which time illegal activities flourished. In response to the crisis, CITES imposed a ban on the felling and exporting of Pterocarpus erinaceus in March 2022, and the current administration under President Adama Barrow banned timber exports in 2017. These measures are part of The Gambia's National Forest Action Plan, which aims to ensure legal timber harvesting and sustainable forest management. [ce7b5a25]
To combat the illegal timber trade, The Gambia has initiated collaboration with Senegal since 2018. However, enforcement remains a challenge due to financial and technological limitations. As a result, illegal logging continues to undermine the country's efforts to protect its forests and biodiversity. [ce7b5a25]
In light of these challenges, experts propose that The Gambia could benefit from promoting ecotourism and sustainable agriculture as viable alternatives to illegal logging. These strategies could not only help preserve the environment but also provide economic opportunities for local communities, thereby addressing the root causes of illegal logging. [ce7b5a25]