By Cornelius Eku Randall
The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), under the Outamba Kilimi-Kuru Hills Protected Areas (OKKPS) project and with support from the European Union (EU), recently concluded a popularization and sensitization tour within the Outamba Kilimi National Park (OKNP) landscape. The initiative aims to strengthen the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems within the park.
The NPAA team was warmly welcomed to Kamabanda village in Karene District by Section Chief Pa Alimamy Sammah, who expressed his ongoing support for the authority’s efforts in his community.
During the meeting, NPAA’s Law Enforcement Manager, Dauda L. Bangura Esq., explained the purpose of the visit, which was to raise awareness about the by-laws previously signed by community leaders. He provided detailed explanations of the regulations and emphasized the penalties for violations. Bangura clarified that any fines collected would not go to NPAA but would be allocated to community heads for developmental projects in their areas. He urged the villagers to continue protecting the biodiversity of Outamba Kilimi National Park, highlighting the numerous benefits of conservation.
Community leaders, including Chairlady Madam Salamattu, Youth Leader Abdulai Bangura, and the Chief Imam, voiced concerns about the lack of basic amenities in Kamabanda. They noted that the community lacks a school, forcing children to walk three to four miles for education, and has no access to safe drinking water. Despite these challenges, they pledged to support NPAA’s efforts to protect the park and requested assistance in securing these essential services. Additionally, they raised the issue of elephants destroying their farms.
In her concluding remarks, OKNP Park Manager Magdalene Koroma thanked the community for their participation and expressed hope that they would adhere to the by-laws. She asked if they were willing to cooperate with the regulations established by their leaders and NPAA, to which the community responded affirmatively.
