Oshiomhole Raises AlarmL On Threat To State’s Forest

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has raised an alarm over the threat to the state’s forests.

This comes even as the government yesterday started the distribution of 306,315 tree seedlings to all public and private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state as part of activities to commemorate the 2011 World Environment Day.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole who made the disclosure yesterday at the symbolic presentation of the tree seedlings to some schools at the Government House said the decision to involve primary and secondary schools in this year’s campaign is deliberate as it would imbue the environmental renewal consciousness in the youths.

Raising an alarm on the threat to the state’s natural and cultivated forests, Oshiomhole said: “we are witnessing the near extinction of a variety of bio resources, including very useful plant species and some animals. We have to do more to protect our forests and preserve the plant and animal resources they contain.”

Represented on the occasion by his Deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, Governor Oshiomhole said his administration has taken the initiative to regenerate the state’s forests and embark on a massive greening programme.

According to him, “we have in the last two years boosted our state Forest Tree Nursery from 200,000 tree seedlings to 665,000 tree seedlings today. Through the current initiative, we hope to grow various species of trees across the state and enhance regeneration of our forests. Last year, I flagged off the planting of 100,000 teak and Moringa tree seedlings. Tomorrow (today) I will proceed to the Urhonigbe Forest Reserve to flag off another round of planting.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon Clem Agba said the theme for this year’s celebration, “Forests: Nature at Your Service” underscores the intrinsic link between quality of life and the health of forests and forest ecosystems, saying the importance of forests in our lives is underscored by the United Nations declaration of 2011 as International Year of Forests.

He explained that “planting of trees is one of the surest measures that could help us reduce the effects of flooding and erosion as well as other problems associated with climate change.”

By Yomi Obaditan/Benin City