LAGOS FEBRUARY 28TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Disturb  the rate at which forest resources are being  depleted  for food crop cultivation,  lumbering, sand excavation, road construction and fuel wood exploitation among others in Delta State,  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain and former Delta State Gubernatorial aspirant Chief Sunny Onuesoke has appealed  to the government to declare  a  state of emergency against  deforestation in the state.

Onuesoke who made the appeal while speaking to journalists  on the sideline  during a workshop in Lagos  on the effect of deforestation noted  that  apart from timber resources, tropical rain forest  is very rich in variety of plant,  animal products that provide food, energy, medicine, shelter, recreational facilities for people in the state.  He added that it equally plays important roles in the amelioration of weather conditions and patterns, protection of soil and food crops among others.

The PDP Chieftain however lamented that the valuable goods, services and benefits provided by the tropical forest in the state are threatened by deforestation.

He noted that forest lands suffered from traditional agricultural practices, bush fire, road construction and red earth quarrying, lumbering and fuel wood exploitation among others.

He stressed that the failure of government to regulate timber cutting for commercial purpose by different group of people and to require them to replant cleared areas is another major cause of deforestation in the state.

According to him, deforestation has resulted in farmers low yield of agricultural produce as a result   of environmental forces like rainfall, sunshine and soil erosion, adding that  the few existing forest  in the state are in  sacred/ shrine for traditional purposes.

Onuesoke disclosed  that cutting down of trees in the forest for timber reduces the population of certain trees of high economic values in the forest, just as he argued that it has  resulted in the loss of bio-diversity as well as the floristic composition of plants.

“They have destroyed our trees. There are trailers loading baby trees cut down in their prime unjustly from our communities as timbers.  These   trees are suppose to consume the heat and give us oxygen. With little rain,  everywhere is flooded. There are no trees to act as wind brakers.

“They are cutting down our economic trees like rubber trees, mango trees, bush mango trees, pepper fruit trees. ebelebo and pear  trees among others. Unfortunately, the North that do not have trees now provide  such edibles for us  and we that have forest cannot afford it.   In another two years time  there will not be any tree for  timber in Delta State,” he noted. Onuesoke pointed out that several solutions can be implemented to resolve deforestation issue in the state, advising that the people should start planting trees by applying for the seedlings from oversea countries  which are giving out free.

“We need to invigorate our forest guide in the Ministry of agriculture.  The government should intensify awareness campaign on forestation. They should solicit with foreign partners  to give us seedlings for massive planting. They should work in cognizance with the communities for sustainable tree planting campaign. Not just planting trees, but it should be sustainable. Sustainable,  in the sense that it should be monitored.

“There should be Organisation of seminars by inviting international organizations to lecture the people on tree planting and forestation. Organise conference by educating the traditional leaders and  youths by telling them the  importance of forestation. We should also tell them the disadvantages of destroying the forests,” he advised.

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