By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr
The Executive Director of the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), Sheik Ahmed Tunis, on Friday led a high-level enforcement operation at Rogbangba Wharf in the Western Rural District, intensifying the government’s crackdown on illegal mangrove destruction and sand mining activities. During the visit, Tunis and his team encountered extensive environmental degradation, including large piles of freshly cut mangrove wood and several trucks being loaded with sand by groups of young men using shovels.
The site, once a thriving mangrove ecosystem, now shows visible signs of depletion due to sustained illegal exploitation. Addressing those engaged in the activities, Tunis issued a stern warning, ordering an immediate halt to what he described as unlawful practices with far-reaching consequences for both local communities and the nation at large. “These actions are not only harmful to you and your families, but they also pose a serious threat to the entire country,” he cautioned. “If we continue on this path, the environmental disasters that will follow could claim thousands of Sierra Leonean lives.”
Mangroves play a critical role in coastal protection, acting as natural barriers against flooding, erosion, and storm surges, while also supporting biodiversity and fisheries. Their destruction, coupled with unregulated sand mining, significantly weakens coastal resilience and increases the risk of climate-related disasters. The NPAA boss reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to safeguarding protected ecosystems and enforcing environmental laws, noting that such operations will be sustained to deter illegal activities across vulnerable coastal zones.
Local authorities and environmental stakeholders have increasingly raised concerns over the surge in mangrove deforestation and sand mining in the Western Area, calling for stricter enforcement measures and community sensitization to preserve Sierra Leone’s fragile coastal environment. The NPAA has urged residents to cooperate with enforcement teams and report illegal activities, as the government steps up efforts to protect natural resources and mitigate the long-term impacts of environmental degradation.
