‘Nigerians need concerted effort to tackle biodiversity threat’

The Conservator General of the National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Goni, has disclosed that biodiversity in Nigeria is under threat from human activities and called for concerted effort to arrest the ugly trend.

Addressing newsmen on the backdrop of the 2022 World Biodiversity Day with the theme: “We are part of the solution”, Goni said human activities were reducing the number of species of plants and animals which in turn affected both the health of humans and their environment.

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He said, “These activities include deforestation by way of wood logging, overfishing and pollution of all types.

“Sixty per cent of the country’s valuable forest estate has been lost already at the rate of 4.0 per cent yearly. This is unacceptable, and I urge all stakeholders to cooperate with government to stem the trend.’’

While noting that biodiversity referred to the varieties of life on earth, including all plants, animals and microorganisms, Goni said, “It is important to understand that we need biodiversity for the survival of all life on earth. It helps to provide food, water and other resources that we need to live.’’

The CG advised that everybody must continue to build the momentum and support biodiversity preservation in their own little ways.

He advised: “Stop such activities as illegal wood logging, overfishing, pollution of all types, and create pathways for a sustainable future, and let’s pledge to do our part in conserving our planet’s precious biodiversity.”