Liberia’s extensive forests, a vital component of the Upper Guinean Rainforest, stand as a cornerstone of biodiversity and a lifeline for its rural communities. Serving as a global biodiversity hotspot and a crucial carbon sink, these forests play a significant role in mitigating climate change. They harbor endangered species like the pygmy hippopotamus, western chimpanzee, and red colobus monkey, while simultaneously providing sustenance, medicine, and economic opportunities for countless communities, particularly women and youth, who rely on the forests for their livelihoods. These forests represent much more than just a landscape; they are supermarkets, pharmacies, and economic hubs, offering resources ranging from food and medicinal plants to income-generating activities such as honey production and sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products. This dependence underscores the intricate relationship between the people and the forests, highlighting the importance of sustainable forest management.
However, this vital resource faces mounting threats. Unregulated logging, shifting cultivation practices, illegal mining, and the conversion of forest land for agriculture contribute to deforestation and forest degradation, jeopardizing the delicate balance of the ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on it. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges, adding another layer of complexity to an already precarious situation. The consequences of inaction are dire: the potential loss of forests, the erosion of livelihoods, and the undermining of Liberia’s development and global environmental goals. Urgent intervention is needed to address these threats and ensure the long-term health and sustainability of Liberia’s forests.
Recognizing the interconnectedness of human well-being and forest preservation, UNDP Liberia is committed to promoting sustainable forest management that prioritizes the needs of the people. Through initiatives like the Community-Based Forestry and Protected Area Management (CBFM) project, funded by Sweden, and the Leh Go Green project, financed by the European Union, UNDP is working to strengthen governance, promote sustainable livelihoods, and enhance resilience to climate change. These projects, implemented in collaboration with partners such as FAO and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), employ a holistic approach that integrates environmental conservation with sustainable agricultural development. They promote advanced agricultural techniques like the System of Rice Intensification, which has boosted yields for pilot farmers, thus reducing the pressure to clear more forest land for agriculture.
Empowering local communities is at the heart of these initiatives. The projects facilitate community involvement in decision-making processes, ensuring that forest management practices reflect local needs and knowledge. This participatory approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members, contributing to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of forest resources. By formalizing community ownership over forest lands, the projects enable communities to develop sustainable forest businesses, ranging from beekeeping and crafts to lowland rice production and small ruminant farming. These enterprises generate income and improve livelihoods, demonstrating the potential of sustainable forest management to drive economic development. The success stories, such as a community group generating $300 from non-timber forest products in just four months and another community planting 150 hectares of cocoa, highlight the tangible benefits of these initiatives.
Beyond community empowerment, the projects contribute significantly to environmental conservation. They strengthen governance structures at the community level, bolstering local capacity to manage their forests effectively. At the national level, the projects support the FDA in law enforcement efforts, deploying eco-guards for biomonitoring and patrols to combat illegal activities. This integrated approach, combining community engagement with national-level support, strengthens the overall framework for forest protection and sustainable management. The information gathered through these efforts also raises public awareness about the importance of forests, fostering a broader understanding of their value.
Liberia’s commitment to climate action, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, further underscores the crucial role of forests in the country’s climate strategy. While Liberia has made considerable progress towards achieving its emission reduction targets, challenges remain, including financing gaps, limited gender responsiveness, and insufficient inclusion of vulnerable communities in climate action. Addressing these challenges requires urgent investments in forest conservation and sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities. The continued success of these initiatives hinges on sustained support and collaboration among stakeholders.
Moving forward, several key actions are crucial for safeguarding Liberia’s forests and securing the livelihoods of its people. Accelerated support for forest-dependent communities is paramount, focusing on providing alternative income sources like sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and agroforestry. Strengthening forest law enforcement and governance is essential, requiring increased investment in community-based eco-guards, monitoring systems, and equipping forest rangers to combat illegal activities. Investing in technology for forest monitoring, such as drones and digital reporting tools, can enhance Liberia’s ability to track deforestation and enforce conservation laws more effectively. Boosting international support, through collaboration, technical assistance, and financial aid, is vital for helping Liberia sustain its forests and contribute to global climate action and biodiversity preservation. Finally, advancing Liberia’s readiness for the carbon market can unlock financial incentives for forest conservation and sustainable development. These concerted efforts are necessary to secure the future of Liberia’s forests and the well-being of its people.
