STOP SAND MINING IN GUNJUR VILLAGE

<p>Sand Mining affects the health and economic livelihood of local communities in the Gambia. It also disturbs the terrestrial and coastal ecosystem. Commercial sand mining in the Gambia has over the last decades resulted in 1) collapsing of coastal banks 2) habitat destruction of the coastal environment 3) destruction of the beautiful coastline 4) dust & noise pollution 5) loss of local agricultural lands 6) destruction of ecotourism development zones and 7) Poor air quality.</p><p>The activity has created extensive irreversible environmental damages in Gunjur and Kartong villages in The Gambia. Sand mining in this mentioned villages has heavily resulted in the formation of pits, loss of vegetation, and loss of biodiversity. &nbsp;The abandoned mine pits in Gunjur village, Gunjur Kachumeh, and Kartong village serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and habitat for snakes, loss of economically important areas which may be used as ecotourism zones.</p><p>We respectfully ask the government of the Gambia to:</p><p>1. Stop sand mining in Gunjur village</p><p>&nbsp;2. Implement action plans to repair the mined pits and quarries&nbsp;</p><p>3. Provide compensation to local gardeners affected by the activity. &nbsp;</p><p>4) Provide irrigation or borehole for local vegetable gardener using the area as their livelihood source.</p><p>5) To always conduct socioeconomic and environmental impact assessments before permitting mining activity in any part of the country.</p><p>We hereby kindly request your support to sign the petition to help 'STOP SAND MINING IN GUNJUR VILLAGE' to make the village a safe place for the people and wildlife.</p><p>Please don't forget to share it as much as you can.</p><p>Thanks for signing.</p>