…says Nigeria has lost 90 percent of its pristine forest cover

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

Coalition for Environmental Justice and Forest Conservation have raised the alarm over the devastating effect of deforestation in Cross River adding that Nigeria has lost about 90 percent of its pristine forest cover.

They made this known in a communique signed by 18 CSOs including Nigeria Conservation Foundation, NCF at the end of a workshop in Calabar stressing that the pristine forest cover lost was due to the alarming rate of deforestation rate of 3.5 percent annually translating to 400,000 hectres each year.

The Communique read by Mr Emmanuel Owan, Head of Cross River office, Nigerian Conservation Foundation and Secretary of the Coalition noted that Cross River which holds nearly 50 percent of Nigeria’s remaining forests has recorded an accelerating deforestation rate of 134, 000 hectres equivalent to 11% decrease in tree cover, the highest ever recorded globally.

“Nigeria has lost 90% of its pristine forest cover, with an alarming deforestation rate of 3.5% annually translating to 400,000 hectares of forest loss each year.

“From 2001 to 2023, Cross River State, which holds nearly 50% of Nigeria’s remaining forests, has recorded an accelerating deforestation rate of 134,000ha, equivalent to 11% decrease in tree cover, the highest ever recorded globally (Global Forest Watch, 2024).

“Between 2008 and 2024, despite a ban on logging, the state witnessed unprecedented levels of forest destruction, worsening environmental degradation and threatening local livelihoods.

“Deforestation exacerbates climate change, weakens carbon sequestration, and increases flood risks in coastal areas.

“Furthermore, it has significantly reduced agricultural yields, endangered biodiversity, and disrupted ecosystems that sustain rare species such as the Cross River gorilla, Drill monkeys, Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee, pangolins, and forest elephants.

“Without urgent action, future generations will inherit a barren landscape, devoid of the rich natural heritage that has sustained Cross River State for centuries,” they stated.

They further observed that Unregulated logging in the state was responsible for the massive depletion at an alarming rate due to massive illegal logging as well as Infrastructure Damage: occasioned by high vehicular movement due to the illicit trade.

They however resolved that in response to observations made by the participating Civil Society Organizations there should be establishment of a Coalition to be known as Civil Society Coalition for Environmental Justice and Forest Conservation,

This CSO would coordinate CSOs environmental and conservation efforts in Cross River State, with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) office in Calabar serving as its secretariat.

While also calling for a stronger enforcement of forest protection laws by relevant Government Agencies nd in addition ,the state government must ensure proper enforcement of the ban on illegal logging and prosecute offenders without bias amongst others

The coalition urged the government, law enforcement agencies, and citizens to take immediate action to halt unsustainable deforestation, restore degraded lands, and preserve the state’s natural heritage for future generations.