BY CHIMA NWAFO
The challenge of tree planting and afforestation has been staring Nigeria on the face since mid-1970s when parts of the North were ravaged by drought, followed by desert encroachment. Ever since, there had been half-hearted pronouncements and promises as well as well as allocation of funds for tree planting and afforestation by the Federal Government. But not much was being done by the states directly involved. It important to note, however, that the President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration made genuine efforts at tree planting. Findings showed that the project failed due mainly to ignorance and the absence of planning, besides political reasons. At least, the political will to do was there. At present, it is interesting to note that both federal and state governments seem to be showing some concern, given some political statements about tree planting and afforestation programmes.
For example, during the 2018 UN International Day of Forests, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, the Kaduna State Government said it has so far planted 3,702,470 trees over the last two years in various locations, as part of measures to control desertification. The state Director Forestry, in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Anthony Kachiro, who made the disclosure, noted that the trees were planted in parts of the state between 2016 and 2017 “to arrest both human and natural phenomena leading to deforestation.”
He said the government had established 310 kilometre shelter belt to arrest desertification across five local government areas adding: “So far, we have planted trees covering 93.6 kilometres by 50 metres in the five local governments sharing boundary with Katsina, Kano, and Zamfara among others.”
Exactly two weeks back, people of Cross River State came out in response to their governor, Prof Ben Ayade’s order for the planting of 1 million trees across the 17 local governments, with the objective of becoming Nigeria’s first green state. That was a sound environmental thinking, subject to the success of the exercise. This can easily be measured by the survival and healthy growth of the trees planted. Same goes for goes for Mallam Nasir el-Rufai’s 3.7 trees.
Whereas the two governors did not disclose how much the cost their states, the Federal Government which is known for attacking issues with wads naira, set aside N2 billion of the Ecological Fund for planting of trees across the states in 2018, as part of measures to mitigate negative effects of the climate change, as well as protect the environment. Then Minister of Environment, Usman Jibril, who stated this at the 4th annual conference of Forestry Association of Nigeria, held in Agege, Lagos, was represented by Dr. Sola Adepoju, a director in the ministry. He revealed what to most caring Nigerians could be shocking: That deforestation and forest degradation continue to contribute about 17. 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than the emissions from the transport sector with about 13.1 per cent.
Jibril averred that said it was in recognition of global concerns – the reality of climate change in the country and the desire of the Federal Government to address the menace of deforestation and forest degradation – that a Presidential Initiative on Afforestation Programme for Economic and Environmental Sustainability was established. “It is an intervention measure that seeks to facilitate the prompt and successful implementation of the massive afforestation of the country. In order to guarantee sustainable intervention, 60 per cent of the Federal Government’s share of the ecological funds has been set aside towards afforestation and tree-planting initiative. Towards this end, millions of seedlings will be raised and planted across all states, local governments and communities in the country.” He added that FG had started the formulation of guidelines for Community- Based Forest Management, CBFM, as a tool to encourage private sector and community, participation in forest management.
Perhaps, in confirmation of the forgoing, Director of the Department of Forestry in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Andrew Adejoh, told News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday, August 2, 2019 that it established 872 hectares of forest tree plantations across the county by 2018; and that this was made possible through the combined efforts of the department and the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria. “In terms of direct afforestation and deforestation, we were able to secure some resources from the Green Bond to plant between five and six hectares in some 10 states of the federation. “That project has commenced, they have done the planting; what they are doing now is going into the second weeding.”
Impressed with the contribution of the 65-year-old Forest Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, in expanding Nigeria’s forest cover; planting of trees and that by the last count last year, “we have all collectively established 872 hectares of forest plantations.” He asked Nigerians to get involved in tree planting, adding that it would help to improve their health and the environment. “Nigerians should be more conscious of how they treat the trees around them; how they clear trees for building constructions, because at the end of the day we will suffer for it.”
As stated in an earlier piece, every trade has its secrets and skilled professionals that gives it life, just as every game has a rule. But one of the numerous troubles with Naija is lack of regard for professionalism. That is why quacks abound even in core professions. But the government is not helping matters: Poor regulation, weak implementation and inability to enforce laws constitute major banes. It is not enough to allocate millions and billions in the name of buying trees for planting. Who chooses the trees and who makes the recommendation as to which specie fits a particular environment? Who oversees the planting and who nurses the newly planted trees? These questions and more have been answered in earlier editions of the Orbit. Today, let’s take some tips from the working nation of Israel. First, an organization was assigned the responsibility: not a ministry or government agency. They were organized and had plans mapped out over time. They also had goals.
As captured in Afforestation and Tree Planting in Israel: “At Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) , we know the secrets of the forest. When we first started, our goal was to green Israel, and we planted large expanses of fast-growing conifers. For many years, KKL-JNF was synonymous with planted pine forests in Israel. As awareness on the importance of biodiversity grew, our approach to forestry changed. Today’s forests barely resemble those of the past – they are varied and open, providing a welcoming home to a broad range of plants and animals, and serve as wonderful recreation for all types of people. “
Specifically on how they conquered the desert, the organization provides more insight:
“At KKL-JNF, we have developed afforestation methods for the desert; SAVANNIZATION – planting single trees or clusters of trees in areas where climatic conditions do not permit woodlands or shrubs to grow without substantial human intervention. Their growth relies on advanced water harvesting techniques that capture run-off rainwater in ridges, depressions, terraces and limans (tree clusters planted in reinforced water catchment basins). Savannization has an added value to it as well: the trees slow down soil erosion, one of the biggest environmental problems in the Negev.”
Even though Nigeria’s Forestry Research Institute at Ibadan was established in 1954, six years after the birth of the Republic of Israel, through KKL-JNF’s commitment to forestry research, they improved the quality of trees, developed environmentally friendly methods of dealing with pests, prevented erosion and desertification and created forests that people can enjoy.
“Forest management – an unending task: Despite our best efforts, forests change – trees grow older, fires break out and sometimes aggressive pests attack. To keep our forests healthy and thriving, we have to battle these elements by maintaining a top-notch firefighting system and early-warning fire network, maintaining forests and preserving them, and rehabilitating burnt areas, in short, by continuing to invest in our forests, even when we think our work is done.”
Tree planting and turning a desert into a green land calls for expertise.
*Nwafo, Veteran Copy Editor/Environmental Analyst can be reached on [email protected]; +2348029334754.
