Gambia Parliament Pushes for Comprehensive Transhumance Policy

The Joint Committee of the Environment and Agriculture Committees has urged the Gambian government to develop a comprehensive National Transhumance Policy to properly regulate transhumance activities in the country.

The motion was tabled before members of parliament on Monday following widespread public concerns.

Transhumance, the seasonal movement of livestock and herders, has long been practiced in The Gambia, especially during the dry season, as a means for pastoralists to access water and grazing lands.

However, in recent years, the practice has increasingly been linked to a rise in farmer-herder conflicts, environmental degradation, and the unregulated movement of foreign pastoralists across national borders.

To address these concerns, a motion presented by the Member for Central Baddibou, Hon. Sulayman Saho, was approved by the Assembly in March 2025.

The motion also called for the establishment of a Joint Committee to investigate transhumance activities and their impacts on livelihoods.

The Joint Committee subsequently initiated a nationwide investigation into the impact and regulation of transhumance. By assessing current practices and recurring challenges, the committee recommended policies and legislative interventions to ensure peaceful coexistence and sustainable land use.

The committee further advised that the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) integrate transhumance considerations into national climate adaptation strategies, recognizing the growing impact of climate change on pastoralism.