As part of its commitment to protecting Sierra Leone’s natural heritage, the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, has intensified efforts to curb encroachment on the 6,000-hectare Tourism Development Area surrounding Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS).
In collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, National Protected Agency Authority (NPAA) TCS, the councilor and village heads, the Ministry conducted an on-site assessment visit to address illegal land occupation and environmental threats.
The visit served as a strong warning to land grabbers and those engaging in unauthorized construction and activities that endanger the sanctuary and its surroundings. The government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on illegal land use in protected areas, emphasizing the severe environmental and ecological consequences of ongoing human activities, including deforestation and fire outbreaks.
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Nabeela Tunis, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, and her team, engaged key community stakeholders, urging them to take an active role in preserving the sanctuary. She emphasized that protecting Tacugama is not just about conservation but also about securing sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity for present and future generations.
To reinforce the sanctuary’s protected status, signposts have been installed at strategic locations, clearly marking the forest reserve boundaries. The Ministry has also pledged to enhance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to deter further encroachment and ensure the long-term protection of this critical conservation area.
The minister assured that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to balancing environmental conservation with community development, recognizing Tacugama as a vital part of Sierra Leone’s ecotourism potential and a global symbol of wildlife conservation and sustainability.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has dedicated 2025 as the Year of Ecotourism.
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