The Director of Sierra Leone's National Tourism Board, Fatmata Carew, recently raised a genuine alarm on the threat of mining to tourism in the country. In Freetown in the past week, Ms Carew highlighted the growing threat of illegal mining to the country’s tourism sector. She emphasized the devastating impact of illegal mining activities on key tourist attractions, particularly Lake Sonfon.

Lake Sonfon, located in the Diang Chiefdom of Koinadugu District, Northern Province, is a site of immense cultural, ecological, and economic significance. Nestled in a mountainous region approximately 850 meters above sea level, the lake is a vital ecological habitat and a cultural landmark. It has long been a hub for traditional ceremonies and is home to diverse wildlife, including 115 bird species identified in a 1994 survey, such as the rare Emerald Starling and the threatened Savanna Buffalo.

However, illegal mining operations, driven primarily by foreign entities, including Chinese and Ghanaian operators, have severely degraded the lake and its surrounding environment. These activities have disrupted the delicate balance of the ecosystem, polluted water sources, and diminished the lake's cultural value. Once a pristine location for tourism and local heritage, Lake Sonfon is now under threat of permanent destruction.

Fatmata Crew underscored the urgency of addressing these issues, calling on the government to prioritize funding and enforce stricter regulations to combat illegal mining. She lamented the loss of potential revenue from sustainable tourism, noting that mining not only devastates natural sites but also tarnishes Sierra Leone's image as a tourism destination.

The environmental destruction caused by mining is not limited to Lake Sonfon. Across Sierra Leone, illegal mining operations have led to deforestation, water pollution, and habitat destruction, putting other key tourist attractions at risk. Without immediate action, the country stands to lose both its natural heritage and the economic opportunities tied to a thriving tourism industry.

To mitigate these impacts, the government must invest in protecting sites like Lake Sonfon. This includes enforcing mining bans in sensitive areas, promoting community-led conservation efforts, and integrating sustainable tourism into national economic strategies. The preservation of Sierra Leone’s cultural and ecological treasures is not just a matter of heritage but also a critical pathway for economic diversification and growth.

In Fatmata Crew’s words, safeguarding Lake Sonfon and other tourist attractions is a national imperative. Failure to act now will result in irreparable losses, both for the environment and for future generations of Sierra Leoneans.