Nigeria failing in its obligation on forest preservation, says rights group

Adewale Adeoye, chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC), says forests are being destroyed in a way that shows no respect for the United Nations convention on biodiversity, which the country is signatory to.

Speaking to TheCable on Tuesday in commemoration of World Rainforest Day, Adeoye said for Nigeria to preserve its forests and protect the lives of its citizens, the country needs to stop the illegal exportation of rare plants and animal species, exploitation of indigenous communities, and the indiscriminate hauling of forests by alien forces.

The World Rainforest Day is marked on June 22 every year.

As the most species-rich natural environment on earth, tropical rainforests — like what we have in Nigeria — help to keep the climate balanced and serve as nature-based solutions for climate change.

Such rainforests harness the ability of nature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help humans adapt to the impact of climate change.

But according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Nigeria’s deforestation rate proceeds at 3.5 percent yearly — that means an average loss of between 350,000 and 400,000 hectares.

Adeoye said the depletion of the different plant and animal species, if not checked, will eventually affect the livelihoods of Nigerians.

“What is going on in Nigeria is a complete violation of the convention of biodiversity and rights of indigenous people of which Nigeria is a signatory to. Nigeria needs to meet her obligation to the international community, and that is by preserving forests in order to preserve the lives of her people,” Adeoye told TheCable.

“We need to declare a state of emergency on forest reserves. We need to set up state and national panels to look into the nitty-gritty of forest destruction so that we can come up with an effective resolution to put an end to it.”

For indigenous communities that contribute to deforestation, Adeoye said failure of the government to implement relevant laws makes it convenient for local people to collaborate with foreigners to exploit Nigeria’s forests.

“What is happening is that we have very weak legal instrument and framework. The government has refused to enforce the relevant laws and that is why it is very convenient for local people to work with foreigners in the field of exploitation of our forest reserve,” he said.

“So, it is not an issue of poverty or education of the indigenous people. If the government enforces laws and ensures people are prosecuted, nobody will do it.

“Our forests are facing extinction and it, therefore, means that humanity in Nigeria is facing extinction. If we don’t do anything to preserve our forests, we are going to have environmental terrorism where destruction of the environment, plant and animal species will be a threat to livelihood, food security and destroy humans at the end of the day.”