Liberia to Recommit 30 Percent of its Forest to Conservation at Climate Forum, Says FDA

The upcoming Forest and Climate Resilience Forum will center on Liberia's recommitment to the protection and conservation of the country's forest, according to Saah David, National Coordinator for Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) at the Forestry Development Authority (FDA).

Mr. David noted that despite the country's failure to completely execute the National Forest Reform Law, which calls for the conservation of 30% of the forest, he added that “Liberia stands ready to bring under protection 30% of our remaining forest estate.”

The Forest and Climate Resilience Forum, funded by Norway and the World Bank, will start on February 2 and run through February 3, 2023. The forum's goal is to strengthen collaborations and inspire new commitments to sustainable forestry practices, biodiversity conservation, combating climate change, and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Liberia’s rainforest is among the world’s top biological hotspots because of its uniqueness. It is a significant source of livelihood for rural citizens, with one-third of Liberia’s population living in forested areas and dependent on the forest for livelihoods, including forest products and the ecosystems they provide. 

However, the remaining forest blocks are under threat due to their continuous degradation and clearing for agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and mining activities at both industrial and subsistence levels. 

According to David, the forum will also highlight the country’s abilities to regenerate revenue from the forest sector, learn from other countries, and call on supporting partners to recommit their support to the forest sector. 

“From our partner we also accept them to recommit themselves to the existing processes that they have committed themselves to provide technical and financial support to the government to be able to meet the strategic function of the Forestry Development Authority.”

The reassurance from the REDD+ National Coordinator to protect the country’s forest and other natural resources in order to mitigate climate change comes after East International, a road construction contractor rebuilding the Roberts International Airport (RIA) highway, used red mud to backfill the Marshall wetland in Margibi County. 

The company had earlier requested a permit from the EPA to allow them to construct a  2.0-kilometer road for its machinery. This request, the EPA claimed, was denied with a warning to desist from the project, but the company exhibited a defiant posture and started backfilling the wetland to build the road, despite the EPA's refusal for them to build a road in the wetland.

Although the EPA placed a stay order on East International, a the company defied the EPA. Unauthorized backfilling of wetlands is a violation of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia and out s Liberia in violation of the Ramsar Convention on the protection of wetlands.

Furthermore, the law establishing the EPA provides for the imposition of a penalty for any violation of any provision of the law or any regulation issued in accordance with it..    

Section 56 of the Act states that any violation for which no other penalty is specifically provided is punishable by a general penalty of not more than US$50,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than ten years upon conviction.

Initially, EAST International was only asked to restore the wetland without a fine, as enshrined in the EPA’s Act, a mandate the company is failing to adhere to. But the EPA later fined the company US$150,000, disclosing that the company has apologized and vowed to restore the area after completion of the road works. 

Liberia is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, which calls for a global commitment to the conservation and wise use of the world’s wetlands. Signatories to the Convention envision a future where all people take action for the wise use of wetlands.

Liberia has five wetlands of importance. They include Marshall in Margibi County, Mesurado in Montserrado County, Gbedin in Nimba County, Lake Piso in Grand Cape Mount County, and Kpatawee in Bong County.