Biodiversity loss is not new to Sierra Leone. Causes of this loss can be classified into traditional and civil war-related categories. The conversion of forest is particularly striking when it is considered that over half of Sierra Leone has the climatic condition to support evergreen or semi-evergreen rain forest. The history of forest loss stems from rapid exploitation of high-quality timber with little effort to replant or encourage regeneration in logged areas, since farmers tended to move into these areas for agricultural purposes. Forest now remains mostly in the highlands of the southern and eastern provinces, the axial mountain chain of the Freetown Peninsula, and in the lowland Gola Forest.
There is ample evidence that even forest reserves may have been intensively abused as a direct result of the 10-year civil war in the country. Large numbers of combatants from all sides and large numbers of both abducted and fleeing civilians have had to live off the forest for prolonged periods throughout this war.
Another potential source of significant war-related negative impact on biodiversity in Sierra Leone has been the wide-scale mining that combatants, as well as civilians, have resorted to during the period of the war. Some of this mining has in fact taken place in reserves, with potentially disastrous consequences for biodiversity.
The civil war occasioned accelerated breakdown in law and order in the large sections of the country that were under RUF control. Even those parts still ostensibly under government control fared no better, as government functionaries became preoccupied with survival or selfish interests. Forest reserves that should have been protected were indiscriminately exploited, sometimes with connivance from the people whose duty it was to protect them (pg 15 A Case example).
An urgent need exists to address the environmental impacts at both urban and rural levels. Detailed studies in more-settled conditions would be required for on the ground assessment of the various impacts.
Some organization should take the lead in developing an action plan for the use and protection of existing natural resources, including the sustainable use of forests and land. Programs could be developed to support communities in building capacities for environmental management in their towns and villages.
It is important to strengthen coordination between the organizations and programs involved in managing environmental impacts. Bringing together all stakeholders to discuss coordination matters, as well as community projects, natural resource management programs, and information from preassessments, could accomplish this.
Key conservation issues to be addressed in a postwar Sierra Leone may be summarized as follows: