Nestled along the West African coast, Sierra Leone grapples with a largely unnoticed environmental emergency: rampant deforestation.  Within the supposedly safeguarded Western Area Peninsula National Park (WAPNP), which also acts as a critical watershed for Freetown, the capital, trees are disappearing rapidly. Charcoal manufacturing, land seizure, and unchecked construction projects are devastating the nation’s essential forests.

From 2012 to the present, Sierra Leone has witnessed the loss or severe degradation of nearly a third – exceeding 5,600 hectares – of its crucial forest reserve. Alarmingly, the World Food Programme reports that 715 hectares of forest were destroyed in 2024 alone. To put this into perspective, this translates to the loss of 1,330 football fields of dense, biodiverse tropical forest within a single year. According to UNESCO, this forest area safeguards 80 to 90 percent of Sierra Leone’s biodiversity, providing habitat for endangered species, essential tree cover, and the country’s primary water catchment. This threat is immediate and tangible; it is not a future or theoretical concern. Its consequences will manifest as water scarcity, crop failures, heat waves, and floods.

In Sierra Leone, a critical dilemma persists between immediate survival and long-term sustainability. Aminata Sankoh, a widowed mother of seven, exemplifies this struggle. Unable to sustain her family through low-paying construction jobs, she resorted to charcoal burning for income, a practice that provides for her children’s education. Despite being illegal in protected forests, charcoal remains a primary cooking fuel for many due to frequent power cuts and high gas prices. For numerous Sierra Leoneans, charcoal production is essential for survival, though it comes at a significant environmental expense. This situation highlights a painful choice between meeting basic needs and preserving the natural world.

Sierra Leone’s situation, while not isolated, is exceptionally critical due to the rapid and extensive deforestation combined with inadequate law enforcement. Ranked 11th globally for climate vulnerability by the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative, the nation experiences increasingly frequent and catastrophic flooding. The 2017 Freetown landslide, which claimed over 1,100 lives, vividly illustrates this connection, being a tragedy directly resulting from deforestation on the hills surrounding the capital.

Despite widespread despair, a hopeful movement is emerging: grassroots, community-driven forest protection efforts. Led by the Environmental Foundation for Africa (EFA), with support from the UNDP and the Global Environment Facility, these initiatives engage and equip local villagers as primary forest guardians. These groups conduct daily patrols, suppress fires, report illicit actions, and assist with reforestation. While still limited in scope, their impact has been groundbreaking for information gathering and prevention. Where government agencies – frequently underfunded, poorly compensated, and reportedly corrupt – have been ineffective, local communities are now taking charge.

Employing local individuals with a modest $60 monthly stipend has proven significantly more effective in forest conservation than extensive official ranger patrols, as noted by Tommy Garnett, founder of EFA and seasoned expert in West African conservation. This method, which utilises the existing community structure, is not only budget-friendly but also aligns well with the local culture, leading to increased understanding and enforcement of regulations in forest areas.

Challenges hinder conservation efforts. Community organisations frequently struggle against illegal charcoal producers, many driven by financial necessity, like Sankoh. Furthermore, organized entities, including land speculators, corrupt officials, and individuals involved in illegal cannabis cultivation within the forests, pose significant obstacles.

Positive initiatives like the police’s dedicated land and environmental crime unit and the commitment to protect 30% of Sierra Leone’s land and sea by 2030 are encouraging. However, these promises necessitate tangible enforcement and strong political backing. Given that less than 30% of the population has consistent electricity and widespread poverty persists, policies must resonate with the daily experiences of its people.

Energy poverty is intrinsically linked to deforestation in Sierra Leone. To effectively combat deforestation, immediate investment in decentralised renewable energy sources is essential. This includes the provision of solar cookstoves, biogas systems, and enhanced biomass technologies. Law enforcement alone will not deter the use of chainsaws and kilns unless cleaner, affordable cooking fuels are readily available. Additionally, resolving land tenure insecurity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices are vital in easing the strain on forest areas.

The stakes extend beyond mere biodiversity; Sierra Leone’s long-term stability is in jeopardy. Deforestation will lead to increased flooding, droughts, food shortages, and economic turmoil. The Western Area Peninsula is crucial, safeguarding Freetown’s water and influencing local weather. Its loss will result in substantial humanitarian costs and decreased economic output, significantly exceeding any illicit charcoal profits.

As environmentalist Joseph Rahall of Green Scenery cautioned, we have surpassed the emergency point. If the current path persists, our forests could vanish within a single generation, leaving nothing to conserve. However, the answer extends beyond simply punishing offenders; it demands a fundamental shift. When communities are treated as integral partners, and when livelihoods can thrive alongside environmental protection, genuine and lasting change becomes achievable.

By Sesona Mdlokovana

Associate at the BRICS+ Consulting Group 

UAE & African Specialist 

*The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.

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