FDA, Stakeholders end One-Day Brainstorming Workshop On Wakolor Forest …constitute Conservation Committee, Boundary Demarcation Exercise underway

The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and communities bordering the Wakolor protected forest have successfully concluded a one day brainstorming workshop in Robertsport City Grand Cape Mount County.

The workshop held on Friday April 26, 2024 brought together representatives  from the chiefs, elders youth women groups and county authority. The communities present at the meeting included Tosor, Sembehum and Robertsport all of who expressed the desire to protect the forest in line with the law. They described Grand Cape in general as being touristically captivating and thanked the FDA for working hand in hand with the communities..

 Unanimously, the stakeholders agreed to conduct the long awaited demarcation exercise which would set the Wakolor forest which contains 1,844 hectares apart from those areas that are only reserved for multiple purpose uses.

They used the occasion to establish a five member  Conservation Committee to include representatives from the FDA and the communities whose mandate is to coordinate and collaborate at ensuring that the guidelines set to manage the forest are properly followed to yield the desired benefits in the interest of the communities. making remark, Grand Cape Mount County Inspector Mr. Bai L. Sherman underscored the historical and cultural relavance of the Wakorlor forest and therefore stressed the need for preseving and protecting it at all times. He rated Grand Cape Mount County as touristically exciting place which  requires national and international attention.  He then called on Cape maintainers to embrace the culture of tourism which according to him has become the new world order.

For his part, the Paramount Chief of Tomiah Chiefdom Mr. Hocia Sombai said if Grand Cape Mount County  is to get the warmth of modernity as far as tourism is concerned, the citizens must adopt the mindset of embracing the idea of tourism given that Grand Cape Mount County is touristically exciting. He vowed to exert all means for the citizens embrace the ideas of tourism and pledged to work assiduously with FDA and its partners as it relates to the protection and conservation of the Wakolor forest. Making remark, FDA Technical Manager for Scientific Research, Mr. Blamah Goll encouraged the citizens to see the idea of conservation as the best alternative and a worthy journey. He said FDA will continue to work with partners to ensure that the forest is used sustainably to benefit the citizens.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders at the meeting have lauded the Manager and owner of the Wakorlor Ecolodge, Mr. Rudolph Antoune for his brilliant vision to establish the Ecolodge which is expected to be officially launched on May 10, 2024. Mr. Antoune who also owns the Libassa Ecolodge located in Marshall, Margibi County said he remains committed to solidify tourism activities in the country to create more jobs opportunities. Mr. Antoune said, "I believe in you people; my commitment to widen tourism in the country remains unbent; my love for you people remains deep,"I'm already in the soup pot and I can't spoil the soup" meaning that his vision is already in flight and he will continue to make it bear desired fruits in the supreme interest of state and people.

The Government of Liberia(GoL) set aside the forest area, especially for tourism purposes. Amongst other protected areas, the forest is home to rich biodiversity and has and continues to claim the attention of the government and its international partners.