Halting deforestation

To worsen the situation, several studies undertaken by government as well as multi–national agencies such as African Development Bank (AFDB) and World Bank suggest that the country’s forest resource base has dwindled and the environment degraded. Nigeria is estimated to lose about 350,000 to 400,000 hectares annually. This is regarded as one of the highest […]

To worsen the situation, several studies undertaken by government as well as multi–national agencies such as African Development Bank (AFDB) and World Bank suggest that the country’s forest resource base has dwindled and the environment degraded. Nigeria is estimated to lose about 350,000 to 400,000 hectares annually. This is regarded as one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world.
Factors responsible include increased agricultural expansion, use of wood as the predominant domestic energy resource, bush burning, mining and urbanisation.  The issues vary from state to state. Nigeria’s forests and woodlands provide significant economic and ecological benefits. They play important role in protecting soil and water resources and provide a vast array of products and services for the population. Forestry contributes about 2.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Approximately 70 per cent of Nigeria’s poor depend on the forest for domestic and commercial purposes.
It is against this backdrop that we urge the authorities at various levels to step up efforts at sustaining the several afforestation projects that have been established across the country. In the far North, which is more prone to desertification, failure to carry out afforestation projects has had adverse consequences on the people. In cases where the communities are over-run by desertification and erosion, the villagers lose their farmlands, houses and other properties to sand dunes; and have to relocate to other places less affected by the menace. Considering the enormity of the problem, which is worsened by erosion and floods, the burden cannot be shouldered by the government alone; and as such, we urge relevant
Non–Governmental Organisations (NGOs), wealthy individuals and corporate bodies to assist. This move will help prevent massive migration of the victims to other states and its attendant socio-economic consequences. Although the authority has sunk billions of naira in combating desertification in the North without appreciable improvement, it is important that renewed efforts are made towards the building of shelter belts in the affected areas.
Government must ensure that measures like planting of trees are seriously encouraged while legislations against bush burning and indiscriminate felling of trees for domestic use and other commercial purposes are strictly enforced to curb deforestation. The departments of forestry at every ministry should monitor the activities of loggers to ensure that they do not cut trees in unsustainable way. Efforts should equally be intensified in enlightening the public especially those living in desert prone areas about the ills inherent in carrying out actions that will harm their environment and expose them to hardship. Addressing some of the root causes of deforestation like providing alternative and affordable cooking facilities will curb the use of firewood. It must be realised that the issue is an international problem and there is the need to borrow a leaf from those countries that successfully tackled the menace and engage with our neighbours in addressing ours.  
At this stage, it is imperative to call on authorities, particularly in the far North, where desertification has become a big problem, to encourage people to embrace the green project by planting trees for a healthier environment. It is time the northern state governors boldly confront the twin problem of deforestation and desertification through concerted efforts. There is the need to frequently educate people about the dangers of degrading their environment. The support and cooperation of various communities is necessary in facilitating the success of any green project. Lastly, it must be pointed out that for us to make any meaningful headway in solving this environmental menace, funds allocated for the purpose should be judiciously utilised.