Information:
In 1968, The Gambia established its first protected
area - Abuko
Nature Reserve. This pioneering move was followed
by the creation of the Wildlife Conservation Unit (WCU),
under the auspices of the Department of Forestry.
In 1977, the WCU was upgraded into a government department
(the Wildlife Conservation Department), reflecting the
growing awareness of ecosystems and species values.
The Wildlife Conservation Department was renamed to
the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM)
in 1994 as the agency’s role expanded into wildlife
management and conservation.
Duties:
Some of their functions are:-
• To protect
and conserve The Gambia's remaining wild fauna as well
as their natural environment for the present and future;
• create educational and leisure facilities for
present and future populations through prudent use of
wildlife resources;
• preserve archetypal
natural examples of Gambian flora and fauna with the
aim of a view to preserving genetic diversity;
• accumulate and disperse revenue, which has built up
from the use of our wildlife resources to the Government
as well as to nearby rural communities.
To inform the public about the value of conserving wildlife
and to get their acquiesce of the need for wildlife
conservation as a viable alternative for the use of
land. |
