By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Minister of Environment, Jiwoh Abdulai, has expressed deep concern over the alarming rate of deforestation at Sugar Loaf Mountain in Regent, a key site within the Western Area National Park that serves as one of Sierra Leone’s most vital water sources.
The minister led a delegation on a tour of the iconic mountain on Tuesday, where he met with community stakeholders including the Headman of Regent village, the Councillor, and Bala Amarasekaran, Founder and Head of the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The purpose of the visit was to engage with communities and partners in efforts to reclaim degraded areas, particularly those surrounding water catchments and dams. Sugar Loaf, which plays a crucial role in supplying water to the Regent Guma Dam, was singled out as a priority for protection and rehabilitation.
During the inspection, the visiting team assessed the extent of deforestation and noted the destructive impact of human activities such as construction and illegal logging within the national park. The findings reinforced concerns about the long-term sustainability of the water supply and the fragile ecosystem in the Western Area.
In his remarks, Minister Abdulai did not hide his disappointment with the situation. He described the scale of deforestation and unregulated activities as unacceptable, warning that failure to act could jeopardize not only Sierra Leone’s environment but also the lives of communities dependent on water resources.
“I am disappointed to see the level of damage here,” the minister said. “The construction and other activities taking place in protected areas must stop. We are determined to protect our national parks and reclaim degraded lands for the benefit of present and future generations.”
He further assured local authorities and residents that he would coordinate a joint high-level inspection with other ministries, departments, and agencies of government to ensure a united and effective response. According to him, protecting Sugar Loaf and other reserves will require collaboration across institutions and communities, with a coordinated approach to enforcement and restoration.
Bala Amarasekaran, head of the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, described the minister’s tour as a fact-finding mission aimed at identifying specific areas in need of urgent reclamation. He explained that Tacugama has been actively reclaiming forest areas around the sanctuary and stressed the importance of extending similar efforts to Sugar Loaf.
“Sugar Loaf is not just another forest,” Amarasekaran said. “It is a critical location for water supply, biodiversity, and the wellbeing of communities. Reclaiming and restoring this forest cover is essential if we want to protect our people and our wildlife.”
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Tanko, Commander of the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) Zone Four, which covers Regent to Malama, briefed the minister on security challenges in the area. He explained that while NPAA patrols the park regularly, the absence of permanent security posts has limited their effectiveness. He called for the establishment of posts and deployment of guards within the protected area to deter further encroachment and illegal activities.
The minister’s visit underscored the urgent need for action to halt deforestation in the Western Area National Park, particularly in regions as sensitive as Sugar Loaf. For many environmental advocates, it also marked a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between government, conservation groups, and local communities.
As Sierra Leone faces mounting climate challenges, the protection of water catchments and forest reserves remains central to the country’s resilience strategy. The Sugar Loaf Mountain, both a natural landmark and a critical water source, now stands at the heart of that battle.
