The Lagos State Government on Friday renewed calls for stimulating action to conserve Biological Diversity towards preserving and protecting the earth.
Speaking at a virtual conference to mark the year 2020 World Environment Day, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, said biodiversity represents a critical part of the natural environment
He explained that biodiversity is an essential asset that must be sustainably managed, wisely utilised and conserved for present and future generations.
Bello, reiterating that the World Environment Day is a global event, celebrated annually on June 5 to appreciate and demonstrate support for environmental protection, said the event has remained a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, wildlife crime and now caring for nature amongst others.
He described this year’s theme: “Biodiversity: Time for Nature,” as very apt as it is typically a measure of variation at the genetic, species and ecosystem level.
He explained that biodiversity as the variety of plants and animals that live in an ecosystem and highlighted the importance of biodiversity to include provision of food security, environmental stability, national biological heritage and recreational values, amongst others.
Bello raised concerns that the biodiversity of Lagos State and indeed the world was being threatened by rapid urbanisation and connected factors, stressing that Lagos State as a coastal state was blessed with rich ecosystem and great biodiversity in both plants and animals.
Bello cautioned that the environment must not be destroyed for development and survival, adding that biodiversity should be preserved because of its wildlife and natural attributes, which would attract people to the location.
He said: “These ecosystems are home to a rich variety of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals.
“Sadly all these are under serious threat of extinction from a range of causes, which include rapid urbanisation.”
The Commissioner stressed that the Lagos State Government’s commitment to sustainable management of its biodiversity is unwavering.
He explained that this had been demonstrated through various laudable plans and programmes such as the deliberate exposure of students to wetlands, zoological gardens and conservation areas in the state through the introduction of ecotourism programme for students in the State.
He identified others as the annual Tree Planting Day through which over seven million trees of various species have been planted across the state to enrich its biodiversity.
The Commissioner said Lagos State was set to explore the linkage between tourism and biological diversity by preserving in their pristine state two major wetlands, which are Yaafin Wetland, Badagry and Itoikin Wetland, Epe.
According to him these preserved wetlands were expected to serve as tourist centres in the nearest future.
Bello thereafter encouraged everyone as stakeholders in the environment to appreciate the importance and beauty of nature and to take forward the call to protect the earth and find fun and exciting ways of experiencing, cherishing and sustaining this vital relationship with nature.