DEFORESTATION: ROOTS GROWN DEEPER THAN A TREE'S IN NIGERIAby Alesandra Ibobo | 19-04-2018 10:53 |
|---|
|
Deforestation occurs due to cutting down of trees to be used for building or sold as fuel or used as charcoal or timber with cleared land use as pastures for livestock and plantation. When trees are removed without sufficient reforestation it results into problems for us such as habitat change, biodiversity loss and aridity these causes extinction, desertification and displacement of population. It also causes climatic change as there are no protection from tree shades due to cutting down of huge trees which could serve as canopies to the soil, the soil then dries out because it is been overheated. As our human population grows, news homes, communities and expansions of cities will occur, this gives rise in deforestation. Rapid growing economies also have an effect on deforestation, most pressure will come from the world's developing countries which have the fastest growing populations and most rapid economy. This brings us to our case study, Nigeria. 12.2% or about 11,079,000 hectares of Nigeria is forested of this 2.9% or roughly 326,000 hectares is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse form of forest. Nigeria has some 1417 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles according to figures from world conservation monitoring centre, of these, 1.2% are endemic and 3.5% are threatened. Nigeria harbours over 4715 species of vascular plants, of which 4.3% ate endemic. There are a few question that cross my mind after these observation: What then is Nigeria lacking? Why aren't we satisfied with nature, posing all its benefit? Who is responsible for the threats the ecology faces? What is the Nigerian governments role in ensuring these forests are protected: Are they playing their part? How can I be a hero and save our forests? In Nigeria forest has been cleared for logging, timber export, subsistence agriculture and notably the collection of wood for fuel which remains problematic in West Africa. A lot of damage has been done to Nigeria's land through the process of deforestation, notably contributing to the overwhelming trend of desertification. Desertification is the encroachment of the desert on land that was fertile. Deforestation in Nigeria is as a result of demand for fuel wood. 90 per cent of locals in the northern region of Nigeria relied on kerosene as the main energy source for cooking, but because it is expensive and often unavailable, 60 per cent use fuel wood instead. This is a common practice within the rural communities, even the slightest look of a tree is cut down and used as firewoods for cooking on a regular basis, these locals don't have plans for replanting of trees, though most of them are into subsistence farming activities but have no knowledge on the impact of this act. Reforestation is the planting trees in an area that has been deforested. It can also be defined as the restoration (replanting) of a forest that had been reduced by fire or cutting. It is the natural or international restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation. Nigerians should do more of replanting, after a tree has been cut down, this measure ensures that the land is not left to desertion. Locals should also be educated on the value of these forests and its importance to mankind through mediums the youths are familiar with such as documentary, sensitization and tree planting programmes etc. Fines should be made on locals who practice illegal environmental activities here in Nigeria. Enviromental laws and policies in Nigeria Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Section 20 states to improve and protect the air, land, water, forest and wildlife of Nigeria. Section 12 outlines treaty making powers and procedure of the Federation National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act, 2007. Section 7: giv es authority to ensure compliance with all of Nigeria?s environmental laws and treaty obligations section 8 (1) K and Section 27 gives authority to make and review regulations on air and water quality, discharge of effluents and other harmful substances as well as control of other forms of environmental pollution NESREA regulations includes: 1. National Effluent Limitation regulations 2. National Environment Protection (Pollution Abatement in Industries and Facilities producing Waste) regulations, 1991 3. Federal Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Regulations (1991) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act, Cap E12, LFN, 2004. Section 2: states requirement for environmental impact assessment report for private and public projects likely to have significant impact on the environment The Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act, Cap N138, 2004. Section 30: states the requirement for a building plan by a registered architect before commencement of any building project. Section 39: Outlines the acceptance of a land development plan contingent on proof it would not harm the environment or constitute nuisance to the community. Section 72: Mandates the preservation of the environment through tree planting and other environmental conservation practices Land Use Act Grants control over land to Government of State for proper allocation towards purpose beneficial to the communities in the State including environmental conservation Hydrocarbon Oil Refineries Act, Cap H5, LFN 2004 restricts oil refining to licensed refineries required to maintain pollution prevention facilities and extinction The Endangered Species Act, Cap E9, LFN 2004 Provides a legal framework for the protection and management of Nigeria?s wildlife especially species in danger of extinction Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Act, Cap N68, LFN establishes the NDDC to tackle developmental issues in Nigeria?s Niger Delta including combating environmental pollution Ending deforestation is our best chance to preserve the environment and protect the rights of forest communities. It is our duties as citizens of a nation to shun activities that leads to deforestation by reporting these cases to the authorities, we could also enlighten ourselves with the few ways we are familiar with on this topic. Most importantly, it?s one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to curb global warming. However Putting policies in place is just one of the necessary steps in addressing tropical deforestation and their implementation will be critical in order to transition to deforestation free nation. |
