By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Government has announced that implementation of the National Afforestation Programme through the Pan African Great Green Wall (PAGGW) initiative and other nationwide afforestation and reforestation activities programmes, have brought about restoration of over 1.5 million hectares of degraded forests and other landscapes.
President Bola Tinubu said the initiative has led to the establishment of over 1,428.9 kilometers of Shelterbelts covering 4,286ha while he spoke at the 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Represented by Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, Tinubu said his administration was committed to protecting and restoring Nigeria’s forests.
“Nigeria recognises the importance of forests in achieving global sustainable development goals, as such, our nation is taking decisive steps to protect and restore our forests.
“Pursuant to the key outcomes of UNFCCC Glasgow and Paris Declaration, as well as COP28 in Dubai the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), under its Renewed Hope Agenda, which is a strategic roadmap for national development has adopted proactive measures to mitigate the decline of forests within and around its borders.
“We have accelerated efforts towards more sustainable land-use practices creating opportunities for investment, jobs, and sustainable livelihoods in our forests. Tremendous progress is being recorded in the multi-stakeholder implementation of the National Afforestation Programme via the Pan African Great Green Wall (PAGGW) Initiative and other nationwide afforestation and reforestation activities programmes resulting in the restoration of over 1.5 million hectares of degraded forests and other landscapes including establishment of over 1,428.9km Shelterbelts covering 4,286ha.
“To protect the ecosystem, we must explore and intensify efforts towards sustainable management of our forest, marine, coastal and inland waters. We must adopt holistic approaches to safeguard our forests domestically and internationally,” the President said.
President Tinubu told the gathering that to facilitate strict compliance and enforcement of environmental laws as well as ensure that the benefits of conservation and sustainable development were protected and equitably distributed among all segments of society, Nigeria developed Wildlife Crime Rapid Reference Guide for Investigators, Prosecutors, and Judges aimed at harmonising the existing Legal Framework in enforcement and prosecuting environmental criminal syndicates.
“The Guide helps in reducing unnecessary lengthy investigation and prosecution processes. Agencies such as the National Parks Services have been strengthened and made to collaborate with other Law enforcement agencies such as the Army, Police, Customs, and Immigration Services to combat crimes such as terrorism and banditry in our forests.
“Currently our Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, National Forestry Bill is being enacted to address gaps in the subsisting laws and legislations and to strengthen the country’s legal framework as well as accelerate progress in the fight against wildlife crimes as well as protection and conservation of our biological resources in our forests,” Tinubu added.
Heritage Times HT, an advocate of wildlife and forest preservation, reports that Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest deforestation rate in the world with about 450,000 to 600,000 hectares of forest lost annually (2019).
