The United Nations Development Project (UNDP) has announced the upcoming construction of a 360-meter canopy walkway at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a bold push to merge conservation with eco-tourism.

The announcement was made via its X social media platform.

The project is described as a standout addition to a landmark sanctuary that draws researchers, visitors, and local communities into closer contact with Sierra Leone’s forest canopies.

The canopy walkway project, framed as a key attraction for Tacugama, is expected to bolster revenue diversification for the sanctuary and surrounding communities while advancing nature-based sustainable development.

By opening a new navigable vantage point through the treetops, Tacugama intends to attract more visitors, expand educational programming, and generate ancillary benefits for local guides, vendors, and transport providers. The initiative aligns with broader diversification goals in Sierra Leone’s tourism and conservation finance strategy, where philanthropic and development financing increasingly underpins infrastructure that preserves biodiversity while creating jobs.

However, the rollout comes against a backdrop of industrial action affecting various sectors, raising questions about project timelines and on-site capacity.

The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is still closed to the public due to ongoing protests against deforestation and encroachment on their land, which threaten the chimpanzees and their habitat, but remains open for eco-lodges and guided hike outside the sanctuary grounds.

This closure has also affected tourism and the local economy, as the sanctuary is a popular tourist destination.

Amidst the protest, the proposed project by UNDP for canopy walkway represents more than a new visitor feature; it signals a tangible investment in nature-based assets that can attract grants, sponsorships, and grant-compatible revenue streams tied to conservation outcomes. When executed as scheduled, the project could strengthen Tacugama’s financial resilience, expand its community benefits, and set a replicable model for similar sanctuaries across the region.

The sanctuary houses over 120 rescued chimpanzees. When the canopy walkway is delivered as planned, it could become a catalyst for sustainable tourism growth and enhanced conservation finance in the country.