By Fatou Sanneh
For communities living along the coast, protecting mangroves is not only about conserving nature; it is also about safeguarding livelihoods, food security and the future of generations to come.
This was among the key lessons from a recent exchange visit to Senegal by a delegation from the Resilience Gambia Project (RGP), which explored how communities can play a greater role in protecting coastal ecosystems while improving their livelihoods.
The exchange exposed the delegation to Senegal’s experiences in mangrove restoration, Marine Protected Area (MPA) management, community-based conservation and alternative livelihood initiatives.
At the Gandoul Marine Protected Area (AMP de Gandoul) in Joal, the delegation met community leaders and the President of the National Co-management Committee for Marine Protected Areas, Mr. Abdul Karim Sallah.
Drawing on more than 11 years of experience in community engagement and awareness creation, Mr. Sallah explained that the success of conservation efforts in Gandoul has largely been driven by a bottom-up approach.
Rather than simply receiving conservation decisions, communities are actively involved in planning, decision-making and managing the natural resources on which their livelihoods depend.
Mr. Sallah also emphasised the importance of continuous sensitisation, respect for local knowledge and collaboration among communities, government institutions and civil society organisations.
The Director of the Central Project Coordinating Unit (CPCU), Mrs. Mariam Ndow-Jarju, said the visit provided valuable lessons on placing communities at the centre of conservation efforts while promoting sustainable livelihoods.
She noted that the experiences gained from the exchange would help strengthen mangrove restoration and community resilience initiatives under the Resilience Gambia Project.
The visit also demonstrated how alternative livelihood activities can complement conservation efforts by creating economic opportunities while reducing pressure on coastal resources.
Among the initiatives observed were oyster harvesting and processing, ecotourism and community gardening.
At the Mboga Yaay women’s group, the delegation witnessed how women have transformed oyster harvesting and processing into an important source of income.
The initiative is not only creating livelihood opportunities for women but is also encouraging the sustainable use of marine resources.
The delegation also visited community gardens where residents are using locally available resources to address environmental and food security challenges.
One of the approaches highlighted was the use of organic compost manure to improve soil productivity in areas affected by salinity. The gardens are enabling communities to produce fresh vegetables locally while strengthening household food security.
The experiences from Senegal are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts under the Resilience Gambia Project to strengthen mangrove restoration, promote sustainable livelihoods and build resilient coastal communities in The Gambia.
The exchange highlighted a broader lesson: conservation efforts are more likely to succeed when communities are given a voice, a role and an economic stake in protecting the natural resources around them.
For The Gambia, where many coastal communities depend heavily on mangroves and other marine resources, the lessons from Senegal could provide valuable guidance in strengthening community ownership and ensuring that conservation goes hand in hand with improved livelihoods.
The Resilience Gambia Project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources.
