Officials and participants at the workshop.
By Anietie Akpan
Efforts to rescue Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary in Cross River state from further degradation is on the way as an environmental group has commenced the process of planting 60,000 trees.
Over time, the sanctuary which is home to endangered species like the low land gorillas, chimpanzees, luxuriant trees and other biodiversity has been greatly threatened by erosion, poaching, illegal logging and others.
Worried by the degraded watershed within the Sanctuary, an indigenous environmental group in the state has raised 60,000 seedlings of six indigenous species to restore lost areas.
The group, African Research Association Managing Development in Nigeria (ARADIN) with support from One Tree Planted and StanbicIBTC is set to plant the 60, 000 trees in Badu, Mkperebong and Kalah watersheds in three years.
Speaking at weekend during a “Community Based Forest Management Committee Workshop”, held at the project site in Boje, Boki Local Government Area of the state, the Project Administrator, Mrs. Mary Undebe said, one of the goals of the project is to provide socio-ecological benefits for four fringe communities, Ebbaken, Kachie, Asuben and Buanchor through job creations, capacity building and improved watershed protection for continual water supply.
“This project is a beacon of hope and a testament to our collective resolve. The degradation of our Watersheds is a stack reminder of the urgent need for concerted action to restore and protect our environment”, Undebe stated.
On his part, a renowned conservationist, Dr. Odigha Odigha said the project was timely given that, “the fashion now is eco-system restoration.”
He urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the project of planting economic trees like bush mango that would fruit in three years time.
Oh his part, the Commissioner, Tourism, Art and Culture, Mr Abubakar Ewa commended the group for it’s foresight to restore the degraded part of the sanctuary and urged the communities to see it as a welcome development that would promote their tourism sites.
Ewa who was represented by the Director, Art and Eco-Tourism, Mr Clement Umina assured the group and the communities of the state government’s commitment and support in achieving the set goals in restoration of the forest.
The Forestry Commission Director on Wildlife Eco-Tourism, Dr. John Odey, the representative of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Mr Michael Tah and the Sector Head, National Park, Okwangwo Division, Justina Undelikwo, all charged the communities to be law abiding and stop indiscriminate cutting down of trees.
Responding on behalf of the communities, Clan Head of Asuben-Boje , HRH Leonard Akam, appealed to the group and the state government to empower the youths in the communities on skills outside the forest, adding that it would deviate their attention from further destruction of the forest.
