Migratory birds: NCF seeks conservation of water bodies, others

IN a bid to promote consciousness of birds’ conservation in Nigeria, especially at coastal and riverine areas, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has called for the conservation of water bodies, planning of urbanization around natural water bodies, conservation and promoting tourism around water bodies  as possible solutions.

These were part of the recommendations made by participants during the commemoration of the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2023, with the theme “Water: Sustaining Life.”

To make the celebration worthwhile, NCF made concerted efforts in engaging students and community dwellers in a participatory conservation activity.

The World Migratory Bird Day is an annual awareness-raising campaign celebrated every second Saturday in May and October in a year, to highlight the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

This year’s event took place at Totowu community, Egan Igando Alimosho LGA, Lagos State. Totowu is a small village located at Isuti Road in Igando.

The village is on the boundary between Lagos State and Ogun State, and the mode of transportation is canoe.

Five schools from Igandowere selected to benefit from the project, namely: T&G School, Aima School, St Bernards School, Speed Academy and St Zita School.

Boat riders and traders within the community were educated on the need for and importance of water to birds, the need to always put out water for birds, as well as building bird feeders, protecting water resources, identifying different categories of birds and how to identify them with the use of binoculars and bird guide.

Speaking, NCF ‘s Species Pillar Lead, Dr. Stella Egbe, represented by Ms. Ibukun Lawal said: “Water is fundamental to life on our planet.”

She pointed out that many migratory birds relied on aquatic ecosystems during their life cycles.

According to her, inland and coastal wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, marshes, and ponds are all vital for feeding, drinking, or  nesting, adding that they served as places to rest and refuel during their long journeys.

Unfortunately, she lamented that aquatic ecosystems have become increasingly threatened around the world, in addition to the migratory birds that depend on them.

She added that the increasing human demand for water, as well as pollution increase, and climate change were having direct impact on the availability of clean water and the conservation status of many migratory birds.

“Climate change is amplifying the impact of habitat destruction by depleting the natural water systems and depriving migratory birds vital breeding and stopover site, she said.

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