By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) and its implementing agency, the National Tourist Board (NTB), have under the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Tier 2 Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project (STDPP), held a two-day environmental awareness raising and training workshop for community stakeholders and youths at the eco-tourism sites of Banana Island in the Western Area Rural District and Wara Wara Hills in Kabala. The workshop is also expected to be held on Tiwai Island.
The EIF’s Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project (STDPP) started twelve years ago with funds from different international organizations to support 46 least-developed countries to see how trade-related activities could be improved in these countries. The project is targeting three eco-tourism sites Banana Island, Wara Wara Hills and Tiwai Island.
Explaining the rationale for the awareness and training to participants at Banana Island and Wara Hills respectively, the Planning and Product Development Manager of NTB, Umaru Woodie told participants that the project covers sector governance, product development, marketing and capacity building. He said the project also aimed at giving value addition to eco-tourism sites by building eco-lodges, nature trails and entertainment centres. He stated that the workshop was to deepen the knowledge of community stakeholders and youths on environmental management through presentations on relevant environmental waste management and eco-tourism-related topics.
There were four interactive presentation sessions on topics relating to environmental management, climate change and eco-tourism. Henry Bayoh did the presentation on Environment and Natural Resource Management, Waste Management, Sanitation and Environment Hygiene was done by Bashiru Koroma, Tamba S. Bundor handled Eco-tourism, Sustainable and Responsible Tourism while Umaru Woody focused his presentation on Climate Change and its Impact on the Environment and Tourism. The various presenters encouraged the stakeholders to take good care of their environment and desist from harmful environmental practices.