Stand Point

Aforestation: Let the Green Revolution begin in Kwara

 

With Joke Adeniyi-Jackson

The song ‘The Land is Green’ by  Nigerian singer, song writer and Photographer, Toyin Sokefun-Bello, better known as TY Bello, stirs nostalgic memories of my childhood when  my friends and I revelled the luxuriant environment of our neighbourhood in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, endowed with variant trees. We climbed shrubs, played under the trees and savoured fruits of different species. I also had the privilege of enjoying such sceneric environment as a boarding house student of Federal Government Girls College, New Bussa, which was then in Kwara State (now Niger State). Trees were everywhere and from unsubstantiated stories, we were made to believe that some of them were possessed by demons, which gave us eerie feeling whenever we passed by them on our way to night class back then. Nonetheless, the numerous trees within the premises of our school served different beneficial purposes; it provided shades from scorching sun, relaxation spots after school hours and the breeze helped to wade off heat. Trees help reduce environmental temperature.
But, unfortunately looking around these days the beauty and the scenery of the environment has been ruined. Tree felling has compromised the beauty of the landscape. One can count on finger tips the number of trees that are still ‘standing’. The tress  have  been sacrificed for  housing and infrastructural development, farming activities and domestic use, hence, depriving humans and environment of the benefits deprivable from afforestation. This development is not unconnected with the increasing size in population, which is as a result of growing urbanisation.
The recent rainstorm that wrecked havoc in parts and outskirt of Ilorin, last Saturday, can be said to be a consequence of deforestation in the affected areas. One fact that is lost on most people is that trees serve as windbreaker. It creates a barrier to wind around the house, thus decreasing its destructive tendencies. So, the impact of the Saturday rainstorm that rendered many residents homeless would have been reduced had there have been trees that served as windbreakers around the affected houses. In addition, trees mitigate flooding because the roots of the trees trap water and consequently preventing rainwater runoffs.
It has been observed that those guilty of indiscriminate tree cutting are mostly people who are into charcoal business. It has become the booming business of the day. The worrisome aspect of this is that the tree fellers make little or no effort to plant new trees.
From the foregoing, it is incumbent that every Kwaran should protect, preserve and conserve the environment. Towards this end, there should be immediate actions and regulations as well as stringent measures to check indiscriminate tree felling. It is also incumbent on all Local Government councils to constitute task force that will enforce environmental regulations as part of measures to check tree fellers’ activities and other environmental hazards.
Most importantly, there is need for sensitisation campaign to create awareness on the advantages of planting trees. Trees are essential to human existence as they provide food, shelter, remedy for ill health and source of energy and also help to control rainstorm and prevent desert encroachment. Therefore, for these reasons, planting of trees must be embraced by all.  The state government must embark on tree planting as part of efforts to sustain healthy living environment for residents. Parks and gardens must be established across the state to ensure a ‘green trend’. This could be achieved in collaboration with the private sector.
One must commend the Governor Ahmed-led administration for the proposed law to checkmate activities of charcoal dealers in the state.
As well as efforts at afforestation through mass tree planting by schools and government agencies.
As Nigeria, yesterday joined the world in celebrating International Day of Forest, it is pertinent that the people and the state government should take cognizance of the United Nation (UN) key messages, which are:
“Forests and trees store carbon, which helps mitigate the impacts of climate change in and around urban areas.
“Trees also improve the local climate, helping to save energy used for heating by 20-50 percent.
“Strategic placement of trees in urban areas can cool the air by up to 8 degrees Celsius, reducing air conditioning needs by 30 percent.
“Urban trees are excellent air filters, removing harmful pollutants in the air and fine particulates.
“Trees reduce noise pollution, as they shield homes from nearby roads and industrial areas.
“Local populations use the fruits, nuts, leaves and insects found in urban trees to produce food and medicines for use in the home, or as a source of income.
“Wood fuel sourced from urban trees and planted forests on the outskirts of cities provide renewable energy for cooking and heating, which reduces pressures on natural forests and our reliance on fossil fuels.
“Forests in and around urban areas help to filter and regulate water, contributing to high-quality freshwater supplies for hundreds of millions of people. Forests also protect watersheds and prevent flooding as they store water in their branches and soil.
“Well-managed forests and trees in and around cities provide habitats, food and protection for many plants and animals, helping to maintain and increase biodiversity.
“Forests in cities and surrounding areas generate tourism, create tens of thousands of jobs and encourage city beautification schemes, building dynamic, energetic and prosperous green economies.
Urban green spaces, including forests, encourage active and healthy lifestyles, improve mental health, prevent disease, and provide a place for people to socialiase.”

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