Reforestation of Degraded Lands in Sierra Leone

The project is located in Sierra Leone, West Africa and consists of the establishment of high quality commercial forestry plantations with short rotation species. The project provides environmental, social and economic benefits to local communities. The selected species are Eucalyptus pellita, Eucalyptus hybrid cross urophylla x grandis, Corymbia citriodora, Acacia mangium, Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea. The project activity is the reforestation of degraded lands in Sierra Leone, and considers 3968.07 ha of eligible area for this verification. The project consists of the establishment of high-quality commercial forestry plantations with short rotation species, for producing sawn timber, poles, plywood and biomass, for domestic and international markets, and providing environmental, social and economic benefits to local communities.   The project is expected to provide income to more than 600 people and around 80 communities in Yoni Chiefdom, contributing to the improvement of their well-being and their families. The project is expected to bring economic benefits to the economy of Sierra Leone in the form of foreign currency, thereby encouraging the Miro Forestry Company to plant more tree crops for sale in the European market. The fringe communities in the project area have also benefited from diverse local employment opportunities that have been opened up by the company's ongoing development, the benefits of which have a direct positive impact on the communities. Employment is due to increase over the lifetime of the project; employment enhances the living conditions and wellbeing of the workforce and their families. Small and medium-scale support businesses have also been created due to the company's entry into the community, which has boosted local economic activity in villages surrounding the project area.