The House of Representatives has requested the Committees on Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry, and Internal Affairs to probe the proposed expansion of Sapo National Park’s buffer zone and report back to the plenary in due course. The decision by the House follows concerns raised by Sinoe County District #1 Representative, Thomas Romeo Quioh, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, during its 13th Day Sitting of the 1st Quarter of the 2nd Session in which he highlighted the potential negative impact of the expansion on local communities. Representative Quioh called for the appearance of the Minister of Justice, the Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and representatives from Fauna and Flora International (FFI) and Conservation International (CI) to explain the rationale behind the expansion. Established in 1983, the Sapo National Park is Liberia’s first national park and the country’s largest protected area, covering 1,804 square kilometers in Sinoe County, Southeastern Liberia. The park is situated predominantly on ancestral lands belonging to the Sapo people and is a crucial part of the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem, home to numerous endangered species. Representative Quioh expressed concerns that, despite significant international funding for conservation efforts, local communities remain in abject poverty while international organizations benefit from the funds. He criticized the government’s action, allegedly compelling locals to vacate their ancestral lands without ensuring their rightful benefits. The House Committees’ investigation aims to shed light on these issues and ensure that conservation efforts are balanced with the protection of the rights and livelihoods of the communities surrounding Sapo National Park. LINA