Loosing Liberia’s Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Importance by De-gazetting Sapo National Park: Standing on the Side of Preservation

Liberia, a country rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, stands at a critical environmental crossroad. The recent debate surrounding the potential de-gazettement of Sapo National Park, which is Liberia’s oldest and most iconic protected area, poses a profound threat not only to our ecological legacy but also to our obligations under global environmental frameworks. As a nation, we are faced with a pressing question: Will we preserve our natural heritage or compromise it for short-term gains? I repeat, will be preserve our natural heritage or compromise it for short-term gains?

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By Arthur R.M. Becker, contributing writer

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Established in 1983, Sapo National Park encompasses approximately 1,804 square kilometers of pristine tropical rainforest in southeastern Liberia. It represents the largest intact lowland rainforest in West Africa and serves as a critical habitat for numerous endangered species, including:

1. The Pygmy Hippopotamus

2. The Western Chimpanzee

3. The African Forest Elephant

Over 125 bird species and hundreds of plant varieties, many of which are endemic and unique to Luberia.

The Park is not just a national treasure, but it is a cornerstone of West Africa’s ecological integrity, contributing significantly to climate regulation, water cycle maintenance, and the livelihoods of local communities who depend on its services.

De-gazetting Sapo National Park, is a process that would legally revoke its protected status and would by extension  open the floodgates to unsustainable logging, mining, and agricultural encroachment. While proponents argue for economic development and land access, the reality is that:

1. Ecosystem destruction would follow rapidly;

2. Species extinction risks would increase;

3. Illegal exploitation of natural resources would be facilitated;

4. Loss of international credibility on environmental commitments would be inevitable.

Such a move would set a dangerous precedent, undermining decades of conservation progress and jeopardizing Liberia’s standing in international climate and biodiversity agreements of which we are a party to.

De-gazettement would run counter to Liberia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

The forest ecosystem within Sapo National Park acts as a natural carbon sink, absorbing significant quantities of CO₂ and buffering against the worst impacts of climate change. Furthermore, community-based conservation programs and sustainable eco-tourism initiatives in and around the park offer long-term economic alternatives to destructive practices.

De-gazettement would not only decimate biodiversity but also strip future generations of these climate and livelihood benefits.

We must stand united in defending our environmental patrimony. I urge:

1. Government stakeholders to reject any proposal for de-gazettement and instead strengthen enforcement of existing protections;

2. Civil society to amplify advocacy and raise public awareness about the ecological importance of the Sapo National Park;

3. International partners and donors to support Liberia in preserving its natural resources through funding, capacity-building, and joint conservation efforts.

We must remember: once a forest is destroyed, no amount of legislation can restore its original complexity and life-sustaining functions.

Sapo National Park is not just a forest, but it is a symbol of who we are as a nation that values nature, culture, and resilience. To de-gazette this park is to erase part of our national identity and betray the global principles we have pledged to uphold. Let us choose preservation over exploitation, and legacy over short-sightedness.

Let us stand on the side of preservation.

By Arthur R.M. Becker is Liberian  Climate Change, Environment, and International Development Expert.