By Stephen Adeleye
Lokoja – A Professor of Biological Sciences, Mike Adelanwa, has called on the Federal, State Governments and Non-Governmental Organisations to embark on programmes to conserve the forest and its resources.
Adelanwa of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, made the call in a presentation at a one-day “Technical Stakeholders meeting on Forest Conservation, ” organised by Kogi State Ministry of Environment on Tuesday.
He said that forest was a renewable resource, comprising diversity of trees, shrubs, woody lianas, climbers, herbs and various species of animals and plants which should be preserved.
The don stressed that public enlightenment programmes were needed to protect and preserve the ecosystem, as well as encourage planting of trees.
“Government needs to enact and enforce law preventing illegal felling of trees, giving of permit and license to those involved in logging activities, matured trees to be cut at breast height, and threatened species should not be touched.
“Well paid forest guards should also be employed to arrest and prosecute the offenders in the court of law,’’ he said.
Adelanwa said that wanton deforestation and non-conservation of forest resources could lead to loss of biodiversity, massive water and soil erosion, economic loss, air pollution, degradation, global warming and short of rainfall.
Earlier, Gov. Yahaya Bello, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Folashade Arike, urged the people of the state, especially forest users to be conscious of their environment.
The governor stressed the need to conserve the forest for healthy living.
“The best that we can get out of life is to do things naturally that are void of contamination, pollution, degradation and infiltration of our environment.
“We must ensure that the ozone layer is not depleted, reduce loss of soil productivity and extinction of plant and animal species,’’ Bello said.
In her remark, the State Commissioner of Environment, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya said the meeting was to present the state government’s blueprint on environmental conservation to the stakeholders.
“The blueprint will address environmental challenges, land degradation, flooding, reduce the menace of erosion and illegal dumping of refuse in the state by 60 per cent.
“It will also ensure the sustainable use of forest and environment, and integrated management activities that will sustain a healthy environment for the upcoming generations,’’ Osikoya said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders at the meeting included Federal Ministry of Environment, Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN), Nigeria Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. (NAN)