New Forest Reserve Management Plans To Be Developped
Thursday March 04, 2010
By Times Reporter
The Forestry Commission has decided as a matter of urgency to up date or develop and document new forest reserve management plans for all forest reserves in the country.
Twenty forest reserves have therefore been selected as pilot areas of which four are in the Eastern Region, Namely Nsuensa Bediako. Esukawkaw Pra- Anuonand and Worebong South.
In this regard a two – day planning workshop has been held at Ayem Ofoase in the Akyemansa district, first of the four forest reserve areas in the region to introduce to stakeholders a draft management plan for the Ndurnds – Bediako forest reserve.
Addressing the workshop, the Eastern Regional forestry Manager, Mr. J.E.. Manu said the workshop aimed at bringing together all key stakeholders for discussion, comments and inputs of which some or all could be incorporated in the final plan to ensure effective and sustainable management of forest reserves.
He explained that the objective of the workshop was to produce or develop a forest management plan for Nsuensa – Bedkiako reserve based on broad views of stakeholders that reflected on socio-economic, cultural and environmental, protective and conservation values which would show the way forward for effective and efficient Forestry Commission and Forest Services Division implementation towards sustainable management and development.
He observed that the Nsuensa – Bediako forest Reserve management plan was written in 1959 to cover an period of five years but there had been no review since.
Mr. Manu said dependency on forests for food, medicine, wood for domestic and industrial uses had increased tremendously over the years as a result of increased population.
Traditional, cultural ethno botanical, protective and conservation values of permanent forest estates had become issues of global concern, he said.
The Kade district forestry manager, Mr. Joseph Bempah noted that a meeting of stakeholders like the one at Ofoase was in response of the Forest management planning system in pursuance of the police objectives of sustainable managing the forests of Ghana.
Mr. Bempah said that would make for environmental protection and production of domestic and commercial produce for the benefit of all segments of society.
The district forestry manager said that was in fact the most efficient way to let communities fell part of the process and share its ownership as well as the benefits due and not just as tools for forest protection.
The Director of Operations of the Forestry Commission. Mr. Alex Boadu called on communities close to reserves to look for alternative livelihoods which could solve their economic problems.
They should look for viable ventures and invest in them, citing bee – keeping as an example and said if it was well managed, the investment could generate enough revenue.
Mr. Boadu said the future of the nation depended on its forests, which should be well managed for the benefit of posterity.
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Science /Environment
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