Walk for Nature: Lagos to restore identified environmental degradation

Lagos State Government says that it has developed an action plan and projects for restoration, protection and management of identified environmental degradation that may have negative impacts on the environment.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement at Ikoyi during the commemoration of the 2022 “Walk for Nature.”

Newsmen reports that Bello was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji.

Bello said that the theme for this year “Only One Earth” was chosen to create more awareness of the importance of protecting Nature and to remind all that there is only one habitable planet which is the Earth.

Bello said that the Walk, which was organised in conjunction with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), was held in three different locations simultaneously at Ikoyi/Obalende, Surulere and Ikeja Local Government Areas,

According to him, the government is committed to actualizing goals 11-17 of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and has formulated policies aimed at the conservation of biodiversity.

Bello said that the State Government would not relax on its plans to promote awareness on the adoption of Green and Blue Economy as natural capital are used sustainably for a vibrant Lagos.

The commissioner said that the present environmental reality was a sad reminder that unsustainable human activities and over-exploitation of species and natural resources were putting to peril the World’s biodiversity.

He added that nearly a quarter of all species were present at risk of getting extinct in the coming decades.

“It is important to note that humans have only been around for 200,000 years of the 4.5 billion years of the existence of planet Earth, yet we have had a significant negative effect on the One Earth more than any other species.

“In a 2018 report of the Worldwide Fund for Nature titled ‘Our Living Planet Report, it was revealed that wildlife and species population decreased by 60 per cent globally between 1970 and 2014,” Bello said.

He said that the government through the THEMES Agenda addressed some of the issues which include the destruction of natural habitats to create farmland, overpopulation, large-scale development project, grazing and fuel-wood collection, mining, over-exploitation, harmful subsidies, forest fires, hunting and illegal trafficking of animals have led to wildlife losses in order to ensure environmental sustainability.

He said in view of the above, residents should ensure that all efforts are geared towards nurturing and protecting the environment, adding that this responsibility should be the collective goal of everyone and not just the responsibility of the government.
He said the 15th collaboration between the government and the NCF on Annual Walk had raised awareness of the protection of Nature
while showcasing the implementation of excellent results by the government in environmental policies

He urged all organisations, communities and individuals to engage proactively in increasing awareness through the Walk for Nature programme to prevent the destruction of natural habitat caused by illegal dredging, deforestation, degradation of wetlands, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse amongst other unfriendly environmental activities.
“In this respect, let us individually and collectively think creatively and innovatively on not just the need but how best to conserve the “Only One Earth” so we can advance to a more sustainable and just Earth, where everyone can flourish,” Bello said.