Bio-diversity

Although man s relationship with the environment is a complex one yet his dependence on the biodiversity is a natural phenomenon. The human activities in the Wonegizi forest over the years have simply contributed to the depletion of the animal and bird species in the forest. This is evidenced by the fact that the Government of Liberia has now proposed to designate the forest as a protected area. Even though there is no available empirical research result conducted on bird and animal species population in the Liberian side of the Wonegizi forest, information gathered from community dwellers shows that these species have become scarce. Any seasoned community hunter would corroborate the fact that the numbers of certain commonly hunted animals and birds have dropped so low that he can no longer catch any easily because these birds and animals have run away or are not there, a language meaning these species have either migrated or are extinct. Therefore, this simply calls for protection measures to avoid the extinction of some of these rare species and to ensure their continued existence. For such measures to be successful, they need to take into account the continued survival of the human inhabitants, the community dwellers. Such measures need to stress the importance of protecting the biodiversity in the forest and underscore the need for the community dwellers in the area to be informed about the usefulness of the forest as it relates to climate change and the challenges posed to their survival as well as to general human survival. Of course the fact is not lost on these communities that the preservation of the forest by there fore-bearers has provided them the livelihood protection they are enjoying today and they need not to be reminded that they are, therefore, under obligation to ensure continuity in the forest preservation for their benefit and the benefit of their generations to come. Likewise, we owe it to posterity to ensure that we preserve and protect the environment for human survival and such actions must start at home, for BFF, here at the Wonegizi forest in Lofa County, Liberia.

Liberia