By Dada Jackson
Lagos State Government is collaborating with reputable Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) on conservation matters aimed at conserving biodiversity and wildlife protection.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, in a statement on Saturday, in commemoration of the 2021 edition of the Biodiversity Day, said the greatest problems facing biological diversity today are habitat destructions, over exploitation, pollution and global climate change.
According to him, deforestation, sand-filling of wetlands and other open water bodies, construction of buildings, overfishing/overhunting amongst others result in considerable changes in the ecological balance.
While identifying cooperation and collaboration of relevant stakeholders as a solution to the problem, Bello said one of the steps taken was an ongoing partnership with the Lekki Urban Forest and Animal Sanctuary initiative (LUFASI) on the conservation of vultures, pangolin and Ekki tree population in the state.
The commissioner expressed the hope that when the project eventually commenced, it would help protect these critically endangered species from extinction and serve as a springboard for their sustained population.
He hinted that government was also working with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) on conservation matters and willing to partner other stakeholders in the course of wildlife and biodiversity protection in the state.
Bello said the theme for this year’s celebration ‘We are part of the solution #ForNature’ aligned perfectly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 14 (Life under Water) and 15 (Life on Land) that about 20 per cent of the animal protein diet for close to three billion people worldwide is obtained from fish, while 80 per cent of human diet is from plant.
According to the commissioner, 80 per cent of rural dwellers in the world depend on traditional herbs for their basic health care, therefore the importance of biodiversity cannot be overemphasized.
Bello noted that the need by property developers to acquire land for housing development in the state had led to the destruction of many wetlands and forest ecosystems which serve as habitats for a considerable percentage of the state’s biodiversity.
His words: “Pollution of water bodies with refuse and other harmful substances are also a cause for concern as mentioned earlier. Over exploitation of wildlife is also a major contributor to the increasing decline in the population of several species of animals in the state.”
He mentioned that amongst the animals facing imminent threat of extinction are the Pangolin, Vulture, sea turtle and manatee populations, saying that the trend of progressive biodiversity loss in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems was as a result of increasing human population and their anthropogenic activities.
He reiterated that government frowned on the people dealing in the illicit trade of wildlife trafficking and sales, especially in the wet markets across the state, warning that people should desist from the illegal act as the ministry would soon commence a state-wide surveillance and enforcement of same to curb the menace.
He said, “Apart from the threat the trade poses to wildlife population, the possible outbreak of very dangerous zoonotic diseases is of serious concern to this Government and therefore shall not continue to condone this act.”
He said that government would continue to enact laws and formulate policies in ensuring wildlife and ecosystem protection in the state.