Heeno International

The Gambia River and its numerous creeks over the years have suffered from serious deforestation of the mangrove swamps, creating negative consequences for fisheries and agriculture along the river. This has affected the cultivation of rice which is the Gambia's stable food and other aspects of the life of people who live along the river.

Therefore, HI has launched a mangrove rehabilitation program in the Gambia. The pilot project was launched in Sintet village about 80km from the capital Banjul involving two thousand people from Sintet and its surrounding villages. Over five thousand mangroves were planted along a 300m trench of which over three thousand have already germinated. The District Forest Officer regarded the project as a big success and said the trial is a sure sign that mangrove rehabilitation can work. The project will benefit over 6000 people. In addition, mangrove seedlings were planted about 500m from the village.

The project will boost fishing, thereby encouraging young men to join the industry thus enabling the villagers to gain employment through HI finance. This project will additionally help to restore and protect the environment which will expose the younger generation to an eco-system that was preserved by today.

HI has already approved funding for Phase II of this project.