On 30 July, the Department of Parks & Wildlife Management (DPWM), under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR), officially launched the LIFE Godwit Flyway project at the Metzy Residence Hotel in The Gambia. The project aims to protect migratory waterbirds along the East Atlantic Flyway.
The launch event took the form of a workshop, bringing together stakeholders to discuss the project’s goals and its importance for both nature and local communities. Organising this event was one of the first tasks for the new Project Liaison Officer, Mr. Jebel Ceesay.
Mr. Nuha Jammeh, Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer and DPWM representative, stressed the vital role birds play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. He explained that raising public awareness is a key activity of the project. Another focus is the rehabilitation of abandoned rice fields, which will support local livelihoods. By helping communities understand the importance of the Black-tailed Godwit, the project highlights the link between the survival of migratory species and human well-being.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of MECCNAR, Mrs. Mariama Ndow Jarju, Director of the Central Projects Coordination Unit (CPCU), emphasised that the Black-tailed Godwit connects continents through its remarkable migration and stands as a symbol of international cooperation in conservation. She noted that protecting this species also means protecting wetlands and the communities that rely on them. Mrs. Jarju encouraged everyone to conserve wetlands, safeguard migratory birds, and honor international conservation commitments.
The project’s Action Plan was presented, focusing on strengthening cross-border collaboration. This includes organising joint meetings between The Gambia and Senegal to coordinate conservation efforts, particularly in the Niumi Biosphere Reserve.
The workshop ended with a question-and-answer session, where participants discussed habitat conservation, wetland management, and cross-border cooperation for migratory bird protection.
The event was broadcast on TV and covered by the Voice newspaper.
“By working across borders, we stabilise the global population of the Black-tailed Godwit. We protect nature and support local communities through sustainable farming.” - Mr. Nuha Jammeh, at the project launch workshop, The Gambia, 30 July 2026
