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GOVERNMENT CHARGED TO SAFEGUARD FOREST FROM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES
As the World marks Wildlife Day, government at all levels have been charged to put measures in place to guide against criminals using the nation’s forest as hideout.
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 in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Dr Amusa said with happenings in the country such as kidnapping and banditry, it is obvious that criminals use the forest for their nefarious activities, called on authorities to do the needful.
Speaking on this year theme for World Wildlife Day, “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”, the University lecturer said that majority of world population derived their livelihood from forest for their basic needs such as food, shelter, energy and medicines, hence the need to protect wildlife.
While noting that World Wildlife Day is not to prevent human-being from utilising the forest, Dr Amusa emphasized that forest must be used in a sustainable manner to preserve forest species and ecosystem.
He identified human factors that destroy wildlife to include deforestation, known as act of removal of trees and vegetation without replacement as well as over exploitation of natural resources and wild animals.
The university lecturer stressed that people should stop felling of trees without replacement as well as killing of wild animals that serve as recreational parks to conserve wildlife.
World Wildlife Day is celebrated every March Three to step up fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.
