Lack of Land Use Planning Hinders Progress in Sustainable Forest Management

Abuja - Dr. Ishaq Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, has emphasized the need for improved land use planning to address the challenges of deforestation and sustainable forest management in Nigeria. Speaking at the Forest Positive for Commodity Export From Nigeria (FPEN) High-Level Policy Meeting in Abuja, Salako underscored the significance of this issue and its impact on the country's forests and natural resources.

The lack of effective land use planning has been identified as a major factor contributing to deforestation and challenges faced in sustainable forest management, such as commodity-driven deforestation. With the rapid expansion of agriculture and increased demand for commodities, Nigeria has experienced significant forest loss in recent years.

Hajara Sami, Director of the Federal Department of Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment, who represented the Minister of State, commended CHUSSDEV for organizing this high-level policy discussion. She emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts at the Federal, State, and local levels to address these challenges and protect Nigeria's forests.

The Forest Positive for Commodity Export From Nigeria (FPEN) initiative, under the auspices of the UK-PACT (formerly known as FACT Dialogue), is an example of such collaborative efforts. It aims to accelerate the transition towards sustainable land-use practices, opening up new investment opportunities and promoting job creation and economic growth in the forestry, land use, and agriculture sectors.

Salako expressed his hope that the land use study pilot for Cross River State will serve as a model for nationwide implementation. By adopting sustainable practices and integrating them into land use planning, Nigeria can effectively address commodity-driven deforestation and promote economic development while protecting its forests and natural resources.

Agriculture has been identified as a major driver of deforestation in Nigeria. Empirical studies, including the World Bank's Scoping Study for Analysis of Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Nigeria, have confirmed this trend. To tackle this issue, capacity building and institutional strengthening are essential. The Ministry of Environment has prioritized training and retraining efforts to enhance the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable forest management.

The Forest Positive for Commodity Export From Nigeria (FPEN) project, funded by the UK-PACT, is a regional demonstration project aimed at promoting nature-based solutions to climate change challenges in Nigeria. It seeks to provide zero deforestation assurances for Nigerian agricultural commodities and position the country competitively in the global carbon market.

The outcome of the FPEN project and the ideas discussed at the High-Level Policy Meeting will be invaluable for the development of Nigeria's climate change policy framework. By integrating these outcomes into policy decisions and initiatives, Nigeria can make significant progress in addressing deforestation, promoting sustainable land use practices, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-09-06 News

More detailed, more comprehensive, fresher news, please visit OOO NEWS.