The Conservator General of the National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Goni has warned of the imminent environmental pollution following incessant cutting down of trees and illegal logging.
Dr Goni disclosed this on Wednesday during a Webinar session with journalists.
While condemning this nefarious act, he said Nigeria and Nigerians will be the victims of the activities of these illegal loggers if they continue unchecked.
“Reports have shown that some Nigerians still engage in, and abet, serious illegal logging which causes deforestation across the country.
“The Service condemns these nefarious activities and warns that the long arms of the law will soon catch up with the perpetrators.
“We have also identified ignorance among Nigerians as one of the key factors militating against efforts to fight this environmental disaster.
“The risks from illegal logging are dire; trees absorb and store carbon dioxide. If forests are cleared, or even disturbed, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which will be harmful to the environment and humans as well”, he noted.
The CG further stated that a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is the foundation of human life.
He, however, regretted that because of human action the crises of climate change are directly and severely impacting our lives and environment negatively.
“Deforestation affects us all, whether we realise it or not. Forests have a big influence on rainfall patterns, water and soil quality and flood prevention too. Millions of people and animals rely directly on forests for their livelihood.
“Forest loss and damage is the cause of around 10% of global warming. There’s simply no way we can fight the climate crisis if we don’t stop deforestation.
“It will lead to more infectious diseases in humans as it has been established that deforestation can be a strong driver of infectious disease transmission.
“It reduces biodiversity; the release of greenhouse gas emissions has been negatively affecting natural ecosystems and the climate”, he added.
Dr Goni said the Service is fighting hard to stop forest destruction. He said their environmental campaigns together with other stakeholders are starting to pay off, but there is still a lot more to do.
“We need to constantly educate and sensitise our people on the imminent dangers we face if we don’t stop the constant deforestation.
“The effects of climate change know no boundaries, know no poor or rich, although the poor are likely to be affected the most.
“We have to raise the bar of sensitisation against illegal logging higher indeed; our common future depends on it.
“People know these illegal loggers and their buyers, they live among us, and they should report them to the appropriate authorities because the evil they are covering will consume us all, if not nipped in the bud. We must work together to assist in addressing this and other crucial issues in our environment”, he added.
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