By Ragan M. Conteh

Bennet Mountains and hills, sanctuary for some the country’s endangered animal species is said to have faced devastating consequences from encroachers despite government’s moratorium on it.

Encroachment of the said reserve lands and mountains has gone to the extent that the touristic nature and attractions have been depleted.

In spite of the destruction of the mountains, the water catchment at Charlotte community has also been destroyed leaving the settlers and landowners in a state of frustration.

The Charlotte community has faced serious setback as a result of encroachers whose daily activities continue to threaten the lives of people in that area.

Tacugama forests like the mountains, has also not been spared.

“Burning of the forest is now the order of the day, as people who are not even indigenes of the community are forcing their way only to destroy the environment,” Rachel English, a concerned resident told africa24 Newspaper in an angry mood.

According Rachel, the Bennet Mountains and hills including the Tacugama forest is now under serious threat due to encroachers.

She said as an indigene of Charlotte, they are concern about the terrible situation of the mountains which has been rendered useless by land grabbers.

Madam English has referred to the current situation as life threatening and death trap for indigenes.

Studies have it that, deforestation emits massive amounts of greenhouse gasses, and is a significant contributor to rising global temperatures, in a few different ways.

Rachel English has informed that large amount of forests have been cleared away, exposing the land to further deteriorate and the habitats of innumerable species to be destroyed.

She said the Indigenous communities who live there and depend on the forest to sustain their way of life are also under threat.

She maintained that the loss of forests has an immediate and direct effect on their lifestyle.

Many stakeholders including Ekudayo G. Taylor, Nathaniel English and Chief Foday Bundu have expressed concern over the persistent damage to the Bennet and Tacugama forests which has excruciating consequences on the indigenes.

These stakeholders have directly accused their Chief Saidu for conniving with the Lands Ministry to deplete the forests.

Stakeholders have called on the Environment Ministry to act tough on the illegal activities of these heartless land grabbers.

They insisted that deforestation of Bennet and Tacugama forests is also causing serious environmental consequences including persistent warming.