Monrovia, Jan. 1 -- Insufficient budgetary support to conservation efforts is said to be impeding the effective protection of national parks and protected areas in Liberia. The situation has reportedly led to surge in illicit mining and hunting in the Gola and Sapo national parks, Liberia's primary parks located in Sinoe and Gbarpolu Counties, southeast and north west, Liberia. Both parks are homes to Liberia's rich biodiversity, chimpanzees, hippopotamuses, and elephants as well as variety of plant species.

However, the lack of sufficient budgetary funding has limited the ability of relevant agencies including the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the ministry of Mines and Energy to hire and...