A coalition of at least 19 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is urging the government to implement Sustainable Alternative Livelihoods for communities reliant on forests to encourage their participation in conservation initiatives.
This was contained in a statement read by Emmanuel Owan, Head of the Cross River office of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, which highlights that from 2008 to 2024, despite an imposed ban on logging, the state has experienced significant forest destruction, leading to severe environmental degradation and jeopardising local livelihoods.
The CSOs expressed concern over Nigeria’s loss of 90% of its original forest cover, with a staggering deforestation rate of 3.5% per year, resulting in the loss of approximately 400,000 hectares of forest annually.
The coalition’s worries are also supported by the 2024 Global Forest Watch report, which reveals that Cross River State—home to nearly 50% of Nigeria’s remaining forests—has faced a rising deforestation rate of 134,000 hectares from 2001 to 2023, marking an 11% decline in tree cover, the highest recorded globally.
In a collective statement made on February 6, 2025, the CSOs called for the formation of a coalition named the Civil Society Coalition for Environmental Justice and Forest Conservation, to strengthen and coordinate environmental and conservation efforts in Cross River State, with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) office in Calabar proposed as its secretariat.
They also advocated for stricter enforcement of forest protection laws by appropriate governmental agencies and stressed the necessity for the state government to uphold the ban on illegal logging and prosecute violators impartially.
Among their recommendations, the communiqué urges the effective implementation of the Cross River Forestry Law to limit deforestation and promote sustainable management of forest resources. Furthermore, the state should encourage investments in programs aimed at forest regeneration to rehabilitate degraded areas with sustainable tree species.
The coalition appealed to the government, law enforcement, and citizens for prompt action to cease unsustainable deforestation, restore damaged lands, and safeguard the state’s natural heritage for future generations.
The statement was jointly signed by various CSOs, including We The People, African Research Association, Biodiversity Rescue Club, Policy Alert, Wildlife Conservation Society Nigeria, Eco-heroes Club, Peace Point Development Foundation, Integrated Mangrove Watch, Citizens Against Crime and Corruption, Boki Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Life Empowerment Foundation, Africa Environment Plus Rights, Green Concern for Development, Earth Environment and Climate Care Ambassadors, Green Vision for Community Development, and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, among others.
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