Why in news?
Tiwai Island and the adjoining Gola Rainforest in Sierra Leone were recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2025. This milestone reflects the decades‑long efforts of environmentalist Tommy Garnett and the Environmental Foundation for Africa (EFA).
Background
- Sierra Leone endured a brutal civil war (1991‑2002) that devastated forests and wildlife. After the war, economic hardships led to renewed logging and hunting.
- Tommy Garnett, born in rural Kono district in 1959, experienced the rich biodiversity of Sierra Leone as a child. He studied abroad but returned home to conserve the environment.
- In 1992 he founded the Environmental Foundation for Africa (EFA) to champion community‑led conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Reviving Tiwai Island and Gola Rainforest
- Tiwai Island: This 12 sq km island on the Moa River hosts 11 species of primates and rare wildlife such as the pygmy hippopotamus. During the war, poaching and logging threatened its biodiversity.
- Garnett promoted eco‑tourism on the island, training local communities to manage visitor facilities and share tourism revenue. This approach created jobs while giving villagers a stake in conservation.
- Gola Rainforest: The largest tropical rainforest in Sierra Leone, home to chimpanzees and forest elephants, was similarly protected through community engagement and international partnerships.
- Over the years, EFA and partners planted millions of trees across Sierra Leone, re‑establishing wildlife corridors and regenerating degraded land.
Importance for UPSC aspirants
- Essay and Ethics papers: Garnett’s story illustrates how individual leadership and civil society can drive environmental protection, even in the face of conflict and poverty.
- Governance and International Relations: The success of EFA underscores the role of non‑government organisations in shaping sustainable development and mobilising global support.
- Environment and Biodiversity: The Gola‑Tiwai complex demonstrates the ecological richness of West Africa and the importance of preserving tropical rainforests for climate regulation and genetic diversity.
Conclusion
The UNESCO listing of Tiwai Island and Gola Rainforest is both a celebration and a reminder. It honours the resilience of nature and community‑driven conservation efforts led by Tommy Garnett. It also calls on global citizens to support similar initiatives that balance ecological protection with human well‑being.