NBA - National Beekeepers Association
NWFP - Non Wood Forest Product
M - Mandika Name
W - Wollof Name
F - Fula Name
J - Jola Name
Although The Gambia is a relatively small country with a total area of about 11,295 km2 (including 948 km2 inland water), it is endowed with a diversity of flora and fauna. With its characteristic Sudan Savannah and woodland vegetation, it has various ecosystems which contain numerous flora and fauna.
Since a lot of plant and animal species in the country are not yet identified, their safety through ecosystems protection cannot be undermined. Currently, only 150 species of plants are identified in The Gambia. Wildlife and most lower plant species are poorly studied. Food and medicine supplies are among the main problems of the world, especially in the African continent. The Gambian people, although residing in a Sahelian country, have been lucky to escape severe famine and malnutrition. On the other hand, Gambians are still facing a severe shortage of medical supplies. This is where NWFPs play a pivotal role.
The Gambian people are generally aware of the importance of these non-wood forest products. However, Gambians find themselves in an unfortunate situation where their demand and values are becoming increasingly recognized while, at the same time, they are disappearing at an alarming rate due to a high rate of deforestation which is now 3.11% annually. This present trend must be halted to avoid serious environmental damages which could invariably impede agricultural production, and also to avoid deficiencies in the availability of various non-wood forest products and destruction of the natural and cultural heritage of the nation.
As the population is ever increasing, food, medicine and other human needs will continue to rise. Therefore, these non-wood forest products must be protected.
It is now common knowledge in The Gambia that the major extraneous factors affecting the variability of our forest cover is human influence. Predominately rampant uncontrolled annual bush-fires have devastated and transformed large areas of what were formerly dense natural forests. Overgrazing and in-appropriate cultivation have played an important role in turning our woodland into secondary or derived savannah.
Habitat destruction that resulted from deforestation in The Gambia, has threatened our wildlife resources. According to Murphy (1997), about 13 species of animals have become extinct over the last few years and a similar number is threatened. Therefore there is an urgent need to protect what is left, as the country's flora and fauna are poorly studied.
There is high unexploited potential for honey and beeswax in the country. The exploitation of these products can contribute considerably to achieve good results from government interventions.
With the current deforestation rate of 3.11%, the future of these non-wood forest products (NWFP) lies in the balance.
In order to address the issues raised in the Terms of Reference for the consultancy a work plan was developed. A questionnaire was developed for each of the key areas. Those on medicinal and food (edible) plants and bush meat were simultaneously completed by the five discussion groups of five participants each with the assistance of two field agents in addition to a consultant. The study related to honey and wax was completed by the beekeepers with the assistance of a staff member at the beekeeping section in the Forestry Department. Fifty beekeepers were sampled mainly in Western Division and only a few in Lower River Division.
Interview/discussion approaches were used. In order to analyse the responses, a matrix of interviewees/group participants and responses was prepared to permit a holistic view of the situation.
A summary of the responses was prepared to indicate a general view of the situation as a whole.
