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By Lanre Omotoso
Nigerians have been urged to utilize forests in a sustainable manner to continue to perform their economic, ecological, health and social functions.
A lecturer in the Department of forest resources management, University of Ilorin, Dr.Tajudeen Amusa, gave the advice in an exclusive interview with correspondent Lanre Omotoso to mark this year International Day of Forests.
Dr Amusa said about Two Billion people globally depend on forests for their food, shelter, income, medicine and energy, hence the need to utilize them in a sustainable manner.
Speaking on this year theme, ‘Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being’, the university lecturer emphasized that sustainable management of forests are key to combating climate change as well as contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations.
Dr Amusa itemized human activities that threaten forests to include animal grazing, urbanization, soil erosion as well as deforestation which often lead to global warming and acidic rain.
While noting that forests are home to more than Sixty Thousand tree species such as biter-kola, African star apple known as agbalumo, shear butter tree among others, the University of Ilorin lecturer advised Nigerians to endeavor to spend some quality time in the forests to boost their immune system, lower their blood pressure and relax their nerves.
United Nations General Assembly in 2012 proclaimed March 21, the International Day of Forests to celebrate and raise awareness on the importance of all types of forests to guide against losing Ten million hectares of forests annually which contribute to climate change.
