The West African Bird Study Association (WABSA), a non-profit making and non-governmental organisation, last week held a two-day environmental training workshop of the ecosystem on both the fauna and the flaura at the Department of State for Forestry.

The event is part of WABSA’s strives to maintain an environment that is life friendly and to combat desertification.

Strategies on desert invading areas, such as planting log trees, woodland trees, building beehives and scouting school bird to be taught in senior secondary schools have been planned. In his statement on the occasion, Kebba Sonko of the Department of Forestry called for participatory forestry management and forestry department functions.

Presenting a paper on the ecosystem complexities, Alhagie Manjang, Deputy Permanent Secretary, DPWM, said the dry land occupies 40% of the earth’s terrestrial surface, covering the homes of one third of the total human population who depend directly for their livelihood on the goods and services provided by the ecosystem.

Lamin Jobarteh, WABSA’s director, dilated on his organisation’s tremendous achievements in enhancing the ecosystem and agro-biodiversity. He also commended The Netherlands Community International Union for their support to WABSA.

Dodou Njai, administrative and finance officer of WABSA, chaired the workshop.