Freetown — Youths in Kamakwie chiefdom, Bombali district have benefited from a two-day training on forest management for community development organized by the Young Green Women Sierra Leone, YGWSL.

The training, which took place at the Otamba Kilimi National Park hall focused on biodiversity conservation, peace building and knowledge sharing. YGWSL's international coordinator, Lesley Tam said the training would help to broaden the knowledge of participants in forest management.

"It is very important for youths to know what forest management is all about. It is hoped that participants will make good use of what they have learnt during the course of the training," he noted. Paramount Chief of Kamakwe chiefdom, Kandeh Luseni III admonished participants to treat the training seriously and use the knowledge gained in their work.

He said the huge turnout of participants was an indication of their readiness to broaden their horizon on forest management. Training facilitator, Michael Mansaray said tobacco plantation destroys the forest, adding that people cut down trees just to burn the tobacco. "People should stop over using our natural resources and adopt food mining policies," he said.