New policy to boost forest resources restoration, sustainable management efforts
Abuja - The implementation of the new National Forest Policy is expected to enable a strategic course of actions that align with international best practices and global targets on forest resources restoration and sustainable management.
The Federal Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, said this while officiating a high-level panel discussion jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to commemorate International Day of Forests for 2021. The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) under the Office of the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator anchored the event.
“In the area of policy and legal framework, the new National Forest Policy has just been approved, was based on the guiding principles of sustainable forest management, national development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
The Minister revealed that forest cover is about six percent of Nigeria’s total land area and that the government was committed to sustainable environmental management in the country though the nation was still grappling with the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation.
“The unwavering commitment of the present administration is to checkmate the situation by rapidly increasing forest cover and doubling efforts at strategic and improved conservation and management of the nation’s natural resources for the attainment of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan as well as the Sustainable Development Goals,” Dr. Abubakar pointed out.
The theme of this year’s celebration “Forest Restoration: A Path to Recovery and Well-being” underscores the significant role forests can play in our post-COVID-19 recovery efforts as well as in our overall wellbeing.
Speaking earlier, the FAO Representative in Nigeria, Fred Kafeero, said that this year’s theme Aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, from 2021-2030 whose main targets are to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide.
“The UN believes sustainable management of forests is critical to combating climate change and to ensure a better future for all. This is why the General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012,” he disclosed.
Mr. Kafeero said that the main objectives of the day are to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and also highlight the roles of different partners in supporting the country to ensure sustainable management of forest resources in the country.
According to him, for many years FAO has been working with the Federal and State governments in different interventions that promote sustainable forest management. These include the strengthening of institutional capacities in various aspects of forest monitoring, measurement, reporting and verification, procurement of modern forest inventory equipment, and construction and furnishing (with modern hardware and software equipment) of a remote sensing/Global Information System laboratory.
“If done in the right way, forest restoration and sustainable management are key nature-based solutions for building back better and achieving the future we want without leaving anyone behind,” he concluded.
The virtual panel discussion, which was also streamlined live online, attracted the participation of representatives from government departments (both Federal and State), research, academia, development partners, civil society organizations and members of the general public
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