FOREST RESTORATION: Environmentalists reclaim erosion site, Launch 3,600 Trees Planting Initiative in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

Environmental activists under the aegis of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation(NCF) have intensified efforts at reclaiming the erosion site at Urunnebo,  Enugwu-Ukwu, Community, in Njikoka local government area of Anambra state with planting of various trees.

The project “Forest Restoration”, was organized by the NCF in partnership with Anambra state Ministry of Environment, Nigeria Erosion And Water Shed Management (NEWMAP) and Community Resource management And Conservation Initiative (CRMCI), supported by ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Ltd.

Speaking to newsmen at the Urunnebo, Enugwu-Ukwu site on Thursday, the Programmes Development Officer, Nigerian Conservation Foundation(NCF), Joshua Dazi, said climatic changes has caused environmental degradation in our communities, lamenting that over 95 percent of our forests have been lost. 

The aim is to assist people understand the need for restoring our environment, while working with communities to reclaim erosion sites.

He disclosed that the  program at  Urunnebo has commenced with the planting of about 1,000 species of tree while the Nnewi Iche site would take about 2,600 trees, bringing the total to 3,600 trees. 

He said tress being planted along the erosion control channel include, bread fruit, cashew, Melina, pea, udara, sharwa shop, insisting that they were mainly economic trees that will serve our daily needs as food or sold to get money.

“Today, NCF is working with Urunnebo, Enugwu-Ukwu community to restore this area. It’s essential we do forestation. Planting trees would cushion effects of erosion.

“Human intervention has caused a lot of damages to our forests. The community would see the advantages of our intervention”, he said.

Dazi urged the community to take full charge in nursing and protecting the trees, assuring that they would go a long way to save their environment from further erosion threats.

Also speaking, the President General of Urunnebo, Enugwu-Ukwu community, Sir Greg Egenti, recalled that the advancing erosion caused some buildings to collapse, others were badly damaged, while some were threatened, but no life was lost.

According to Egenti, the reclamation project in area started in 2016, and it has help to check the menace.

“Trees planted are expected to hold the soil, beautify the environment and create a good scenery in our community.

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“When mature, they will provide economic trees and we all will benefit. It will equally stop people from coming to farm in the area, he noted, adding that the youths would be engaged to protect.

He commended the partners including world Bank, Anambra state government, NCF and others for coming to rescue the area from erosion devastation.

In a remark, Prof Peter Nnabude of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said the trees would provide vegetation cover and control erosion in the area.

He added that the trees would conserve the soil, Chech water run off and stabilize the area.

Executive member of women wing in the community, Mrs Preciliia Okeke and many others who participated in the tree planting exercise, said the trees would help protect their environment, harvest fruits for food among other benefits. 

“Be fore this intervention, the gully erosion was so deep that you can not see the floor. Now, we can walk along part. Thanks to the partners and the state government for coming to our aid”, Mrs Okeke said.