World Forest Day: Benue To Preserve Existing Forests

The Benue State Government says it will ensure the preservation of the existing 55 government and 75 communal forests reserves in the state as part of efforts to mitigate climate change.

Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Dr Godwin Oyiwona, made this known on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Makurdi at the end of a programme to mark the 2022 World Forest Day.

The theme of this year’s World Forest Day is “Inspire for the Future: The Role of Forests in Ensuring Sustainable Product’s and Consumption.”

Oyiwona said the government would do everything possible to ensure the preservation of all the existing forests for improved human sustainability.

He said the environment needed to be sustainable for human beings to live comfortably, adding that continuous illegal deforestation activities were causing harm to the earth, thereby resulting in climate change.

He said that reducing deforestation, which is a major cause of climate change, is a crucial mitigation step in the battle to preserve the planet.

According to the commissioner, Benue, being an agrarian state, is keen on afforestation, adding that the celebration of World Forest Day is an important milestone.