Gbarpolu County – The December 2016 Act establishing the Gola Forest National Park clearly states government and citizens’ mutual responsibilities in the management of the natural reserve..“If any land over which the Gola Forest National Park is established is private property and deeded, the Government shall provide prompt payment and just compensation to the property owners. The Gola National Forest is one of the largest remaining areas of intact rainforest. The original proposal said the National Park will cover an area where no permanent settlements are found; the communities will continue to have access to the forest area (and its products) outside the proposed park, in what will remain as Gola National Forest. I am sure our honorable representative will do his best to meet with his colleagues in the Legislature to harmonize the Gola Forest National Park issue,” he stated. “It was only in December last year that the Act establishing the Gola Forest National Park was finalized,” he said.

Source: Front Page Africa March 09, 2018 04:07 UTC