SNARSA targets illegal mining reclamation, forest monitoring, and flood prevention through technology

The School of Natural Resource Students’ Association (SNARSA) at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Ghana aims to tackle environmental issues using advanced technology. The group intends to deploy Geographic Information System (GIS) equipment and scientific research to pinpoint environmental hotspots, track deforestation, map flood-prone areas, and supply data to aid government actions.

SNARSA President Kingsford Nana Oduro Dickso explained the plans during the association’s official inauguration at UENR in Fiapre, Bono Region. The event focused on the theme: "Natural Resources Students at the Forefront of Sustaining the Environment: Partnering Government Against Environmental Backlashes." Dickso emphasized that SNARSA sought to go beyond typical student activities and position its members as technical allies in tackling Ghana’s environmental challenges.

A key objective is the development of a cutting-edge Natural Resources Laboratory, projected to cost GH¢2.5 million. The lab, equipped with soil and water testing facilities, an Environmental Impact Assessment and reclamation center, and advanced GIS technology, would facilitate assessments of degraded lands, determine their suitability for rehabilitation, and generate scientific data to support environmental management.

The association plans to utilize tools like the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to monitor forest decline and advise the Forestry Commission. GIS technology will also help identify fire-prone and flood-risk zones, offering valuable insights to organizations such as the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana National Fire Service.

Dickso highlighted that flooding is not confined to urban centers, citing poor sanitation and clogged gutters in Sunyani as examples of local environmental issues that necessitate technological and community-driven solutions. SNARSA aims to contribute to land reclamation efforts by conducting soil assessments to evaluate the potential uses of restored lands.

The group intends to use scientific testing to ascertain whether reclaimed sites are suitable for agricultural purposes, thereby enabling the conversion of degraded lands into productive assets, generating economic opportunities, and contributing to national development.