International Day of Forests: IITA Forest Center contributes to forest conservation in Nigeria
8 April 2024
Every 21 March, we celebrate World Forest Day, a global reminder of the importance of protecting vital forest ecosystems. This year, to celebrate the International Day of Forests 2024, Field Supervisor and award-winning plant conservationist, Olukunle Olasupo, was on RadioIITA to lend his voice to the many voices calling for increased engagement and innovative participation in forest conservation. He highlighted the various importance of trees for medicine, food, and environmental health.
The conversation specifically addressed the challenges of deforestation in Nigeria. Nigeria has lost 80% of its original forest cover, far below the recommended minimum. There is a lack of proper enforcement to stop illegal logging in protected areas. Farmers clearing land for agriculture or charcoal production significantly threatens protected areas.
Queried by the Good Morning IITA Show hosts, Omowunmi Ayodele and Bamise Dada, on the role individuals, government, public, and private institutions should take in keeping urban centers forested, Olasupo said individuals should commit to planting trees as well as government, public, and private institutions. The conversation drove deep into the world of trees, afforestation, deforestation, and what we can all do to ensure our forests thrive. According to Olasupo, afforestation is simply planting trees, like giving our planet a significant, leafy lung transplant. Afforestation increases forest cover, which benefits everyone. On the other hand, deforestation is the chopping down of trees, which poses a significant threat to our environment.
Highlighting the incredible work IITA Forest Center does for forest conservation in Nigeria, Olasupo said, “The Forest Center offers educational programs on forest conservation, teaching young people how to identify plants, collect seeds, and become forest champions.” The Forest Center teaches people how to cultivate medicinal plants in their backyards to reduce the pressure on wild populations. The Forest Center has partnered with the US Embassy to bring these programs to schools in southwest Nigeria. He said individuals should plant short trees such as the miracle berry tree in their backyards and homes, which pose no threat to fences or foundations of people’s homes.
Olasupo charged the government with upholding and enforcing policies that support environmental conservation. He said, “Gazette areas for tree planting in urban centers should remain gazette areas for the same.” He encouraged other public and private institutions: “Everyone has a role to play. Walkways or driveways in institutions can be bordered left and right with trees, as we see in IITA.” Everyone, from individuals and communities to the government, must upgrade and take responsibility for protecting our forests. Together, we can make a difference.
Contributed by Sharon Abiodun and Folake Oduntan
