The document presents an assessment of Gondama Island in Sierra Leone to evaluate its potential for ecotourism and conservation. It finds that while natural resources remain, environmental degradation from mining, logging, and hunting by unemployed youth is ongoing. Specifically, degradation is severe on the Tikonko side but Jaiama Bongor retains thick forest. It recommends collaborating with chiefs and councils to establish protections like bylaws and a development plan, and conducting community outreach to promote sustainable management and ecotourism opportunities on the island.

1. PRESENTATION ON ASSESSMENT OF
GONDAMA ISLAND
PRESENTED BY:
HENRY DAVID BAYOH
ENVIRONMENT/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FIELD
COORDINATOR,
ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION FOR AFRICA
(EFA)

2. TABLE OF CONTENT
Objective of the assessment
Assessment methodology
Background of the FoSED project
Background of the Gondama Island
Observations/Findings
Threats
Conclusion and recommendations

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT
To assess the ecotourism potential and the willingness of
communities to undertake ecotourism/conservation
activity on or around the Island

4. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES
 Community meetings
 Individual interviews
 Site visit
 Observation
 Question and answer

5. BACKGROUND OF THE FOSED
PROJECT
Food Security and Economic Development project (FoSED)
in Bo, Kenema and Pujehun Districts.
Funded by the European Union (EU) and Welthungerhilfe
(WHH).
Implemented in three Districts, nine Chiefdoms, 50
communities by WHH and EFA
The project have four result areas:
 Result 1: Sustainable farming systems are developed on-farm and best
agricultural practices promoted (Implemented by WHH).
 Result 2: Market opportunities for agricultural products are promoted
and rural household empowered to make use of them(Implemented by
WHH/EFA).
 Result 3: Mechanisms for the sustainable management of natural
resources are introduced(Implemented by EFA).
 Result 4: Local institutions are strengthened to promote the economic
development process(Implemented by WHH/EFA).

6. BACKGROUND OF GONDAMA ISLAND
Gondama Island is located in the southern province of
Sierra Leone
The Island is owned by two chiefdoms (Tikonko and Jaiama
Bongor Chiefdoms)
Gondama Island is located along the Sewa River, about
120 ha in size
Lack of bridge and can be access with dugout conoe
The Island can be easily access from Bo and Gondama

7. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS
 Available natural resources still worth of protection
 Vegetation – Secondary forests on the side Jaiama Bongor
Chiefdom and shrubs on the side of Tikonko Chiefdom
 Eastern part is in a better ecological condition
 Wildlife – monkeys, dulkers, pigmy hippo – available
( according to community people)
 Mining of diamond, gold, sand etc. still ongoing in the Island
 Logging activity is ongoing on both sides of the Island
 Charcoal burning is also going on in the Island
 Hunting and trapping of bush meats using short guns and
other object.
 Environmental degradation is seriously taking place on the
Tikonko axis of the Island, whereas Jaiama Bongor axis has a
thick forest on a flat land with potentials of wildlife.

8. TREATHS
Livelihoods activity of the youths is largely depend on the
Island and thereby causing environmental degradation
Low level of political will to undertake
ecotourism/conservation activity
High expectation of landholding families/communities
Busy schedules of target respondents
Lack of cooperation of some respondents towards
questionnaire and personal interview

9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMENDATIONS
 CONCLUSIONS
Main reasons for environmental degradation on the Island
is unemployment of youths which allow a good number of
them to embark on mining and other livelihood activities
such as fuel wood production, logging and charcoal
burning which has left the Island unfit for ecotourism.
Environmental degradation is highly concentrated on
Tikonko, while Jaiama Bongor is concentrated on logging
and charcoal burning.

10. RECOMMENDATIONSHowever, in other to undertake, ecotourism/conservation
activity on or around the island, the following activities are
recommended.
Efforts should be made by relevant stakeholders to agree and
take decision on the protection of the Island for ecotourism
and conservation activities.
A band should be placed on degradation activities on the
Island – mining, logging, hunting, etc.
Bye laws should be developed on the harvesting and use of
natural resources in the respective communities
Collaborate with Chiefdom stakeholders District Council and
other Line ministries to conduct sensitization on protection
and sustainable use of natural resources on the Island.
Work with communities to develop land use plan activities.
Community should show willingness to undertake ecotourism

11. PHOTOGRAPHS
PARAMOUNT OF TIKONKO CHIEFDOM ADDRESSING COMMUNITY PEOPLE
AT GONDAMA

12. MINING SITE ON THE ISLAND – GANDAMA AXIS

13. MINING SITE

14. LOGGING SITE – MAMBOMA AXIS

15. SAND MINING – GONDAMA AXIS

16. •THANK YOU!!!