A tropical rainforest that was in danger of being destroyed within ten years is expected to win legal protection as a nature reserve today, thanks to the efforts of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

People living around the forest, in Sierra Leone, will be paid royalties for income that they may otherwise have earned from logging or mining. The project is intended to stop animals being driven into extinction and to ensure that carbon absorbed by the vegetation remains in the forest.

Locking up carbon in trees and other plants prevents it being released into the atmosphere, where it would help to accelerate climate change. Deforestation is estimated to be responsible for up to a fifth of carbon dioxide emissions.

More than 50 species of mammals, 2,000 plants, thousands of invertebrates and 274 species of bird, of which 14 are threatened with imminent extinction, will benefit from the forest’s protected status. Among the mammals in the region are leopards, chimpanzees and elephants, while the endangered birds include the white-necked picathartes, the rufous fishing owl and the green-tailed Bristlebill.

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The 75,000-hectare Gola Forest is intended to be the main project for a scheme in which a network of national parks will be created in Sierra Leone to prevent deforestation. It will be funded by conservation groups, including the RSPB, the European Commission and the French Government. President Koroma of Sierra Leone is expected to announce the project today to coincide with the United Nations climate change summit in Bali. Many conservationists believe that the project should be encouraged around the world to protect wildlfe and to combat climate change.

The RSPB and the charity Conservation International have each agreed to contribute £1 million towards the forest protection scheme. Alistair Gammell, of the RSPB, urged politicians and officials in Bali to take heed of the work that was taking place. “Huge amounts of carbon will be saved and the site is an excellent example to those now involved in climate talks in Bali,” he said. “It is showing how richer countries can help poorer countries protect wildlife, support local communities and tackle climate change.”

Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, will join ministers from more than 150 countries in the negotiations this week. It is hoped that they will be able to reach an agreement on a time-table for an international deal on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Gola Forest contains large stretches of forest that has avoided any logging. Other parts have suffered minimal disturbance. Along with six other national parks, it will be at the forefront of attempts to make Sierra Leone an important destination for eco-tourism to help the country to recover from civil war.

Scientists will be encouraged to travel to the national parks to use them as open-air laboratories for the study of wildlife. Graham Wynne, chief executive of the RSPB, said: “Protecting Gola as a national park reflects the foresight of the Sierra Leone Government. Gola is a magical place and it is worth saving simply because it is there.”

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