Deforestation in Nigeria and the Need to Stem the Tide

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria as at 2005 had the highest rate of deforestation(currently 350,000–400,000 hectares per year) in the world . Between 1990 and 2005, over 6 million hectares of forest cover was lost! Another study shows that between 1901 and 2005, there was an increase in temperature of about 1.1oC while the global average was 0.74oC for the same period.

As seen from the first picture, trees play a major role in reducing overall temperatures. Trees also reduce erosion by holding soil particles together. Looking at the second picture below taken on 31/05/2018 (in the Guinea Savannah region of Nigeria), you can see that it is easy for agents of erosion to take away the soil particles thereby leading to desertification.

Also, trees help in retaining underground water that smaller plants can tap into for growth. However when trees are cut indiscriminately, the underground water table reduces and this leads to desertification. Desertification leads to a decrease in the production of crops and animals and ultimately a decrease in food security. Desertification also leads to an increase in population density as more people flock the greener pastures (literally) in order to survive. This is why there has been an increase in the farmers-herdsmen clash.

Indescriminate cutting of tress has also led to the reduction in exotic wildlife numbers such as the Cross River gorilla.

To stem this ugly tide, a number of steps have to be taken. The bulk of these trees are cut to be used as firewood for cooking. This practice should be seriously discouraged as it is not sustainable. Asides the distribution of kerosene stoves (which the government started in 2014), the use of gas cookers should also be encouraged.

Various governments have started afforestation campaigns that have led to over 1 million hectares being reclaimed. In addition to this, more should be done especially at the local level to improve afforestation campaigns. One way is by

giving incentives to the locals for sustaining afforestation efforts. There should also be stiffer punishment for illegal loggers

On an individual level, we can encourage tree planting in our homes and communities while speaking against the indiscriminate cutting of trees. #deforestation #environment