Sierra Leone Rangers Battle Illegal Mining and Logging in Kambui Forest

As rainclouds gather over Sierra Leone’s Kambui forest, a small team of rangers from the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) embarks on their daily patrol to protect the region's rapidly diminishing wilderness. With only 62 wardens responsible for monitoring approximately 14,000 hectares, the rangers face significant challenges in combating illegal mining and logging activities. Conservation officer Sheku Jusu highlighted the increasing devastation, noting that new illegal operations are discovered daily during their patrols. The Kambui Hills Forest Reserve, located in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province, is rich in minerals such as gold, rutile, and diamonds. This area, which borders Guinea and Liberia, has a tumultuous history tied to the trade of blood diamonds that fueled the country’s brutal civil war, resulting in the deaths of around 120,000 people. Currently, illegal miners are primarily focused on gold extraction, driven by the country’s dire economic conditions, which have intensified the exploitation of its natural resources. During their patrol, the rangers encountered evidence of recent mining activities, including fresh sand deposits along the riverbank. The situation is exacerbated by illegal logging, as uprooted trees are often harvested for profit. The Environmental Performance Index indicates that Sierra Leone has one of the highest deforestation rates globally, with over 35 percent of its tree cover lost since 2000, severely impacting its ecologically significant habitats. The rangers’ efforts to safeguard the Kambui forest are critical, as they navigate challenging terrain and oppressive humidity in their fight against environmental degradation.