Like other regions in Senegal, Ziguinchor launched its reforestation campaign on Arbor Day, celebrated every first Sunday in August. For this year's event, 6,093 seedlings are to be planted to combat the degradation of the region's forests, which are seriously threatened by overexploitation. This quota exceeds the previous year's quota, which allowed for the official planting of 5,692 seedlings, according to the Regional Inspector of Water and Forests, Lieutenant-Colonel Momar Seye.

Faced with the challenge of deforestation, authorities are calling on the population to become more involved in the fight against the multiple scourges that degrade the environment, particularly the region's forests. According to Lieutenant-Colonel Seye, Ziguinchor's forest heritage represents "one of our nation's most precious jewels." However, this biodiversity sanctuary is weakened by illegal and excessive exploitation, particularly uncontrolled logging, which impoverishes the ecosystem and compromises the future of the forest. Added to this are the devastating effects of climate change. The Regional Inspector calls for a resolute commitment from the inhabitants of Ziguinchor to protect forest resources.

Ziguinchor's Deputy Governor for Development, Alséni Bangoura, highlighted the key role of local authorities in this fight to preserve forests and the environment. He warned of the decline in forest resources and the shrinking area, a dynamic that poses a major threat to the region's "environmental resilience" and food security. "This situation weakens the local economy, social cohesion, and ecological balance," he said, recalling their importance for the region's stability and development. In a context marked by a long crisis, he urged local populations to manage these resources responsibly.