On Sunday, June 5, 2016, nations of the
world marked the World Environment
Day in accordance with the United Nations declaration. As usual, the observation was robust and the awareness created was commendable, but whether people will work the talk remains to be seen.
The theme for this year is “Zero Tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade,” which also goes with the slogan “Go Wild For Life.” The whole idea is to ensure the safety and continued existence of all life forms in the wild with a view to balancing the ecosystem that supports life for all including man.
Over the centuries, man has looked only at himself, recognised only the human community and exploited everything around him to serve only the human community. But studies have shown that the human community cannot stand without the other communities that nature established alongside.
It is now common knowledge that the plants, animals, water, and other creatures as well as the other natural items exist to sustain the food-chain, detoxify the atmosphere and water as well as beautify and provide the materials that support life generally. In fact, a responsible exploitation of the wild helps to protect nature and the earth planet.
That is why the theme of the World Environment Day cannot be overemphasised. In some parts of the world many exotic natural features have disappeared. A lot of birds and animals are now extinct, while millions of other life-forms like the rudimentary forms of life, the floras and faunas are seen only in science books.
What this has done to cut short the pleasure and life of man can never be quantified. In some countries the massive hunting and trading in wildlife have become rather too mindless. Indeed because of the big market for Elephants, Lions, Whales and Sharks among others, their population, is badly threatened.
Consequently, the things they are supposed to do for the environment will soon be left undone. Some of them that are considered dangerous will not be there to ward off the dangers that man may not be best equipped to deal with. The consequence can be varied and various. In some cases the materials needed to develop the vaccines and drugs for man may become unavailable.
While it may be said that the trading in wildlife may not be a problem in Rivers State, the apparent disappearance of hippopotamus, Elephants and members of the wild cat family in the State should worry the government and people of the State. The kind of birds, monkeys and antelopes that used to adorn the Rivers environment have largely diminished.
The situation may be attributed to ignorance, demand for “bush meat,” and fear of wild animals, but with proper orientation and a sustainable economy, the environment can be helped by ensuring the safety of the remaining few. But this also cannot be a spontaneous action, government must recognise this and work towards its realisation.
It is on this note that we commend the understanding of the Rivers State Government, especially on fresh steps it plans to take to address challenges facing the environment rather holistically. According to the Rivers State Commissioner of Environment, Prof. Roseline Konya, government had started work on a new law on the environment.
Speaking at an event held as part of the World Environment Day in Port Harcourt, Prof. Konya said in addition to the new law that would engage firms and individuals in the plan to regulate pollution in the State, government would return to the use of Sanitary Inspectors to clean the State.
The Tide is particularly happy with the plan to restore the Sanitary Inspector system. For too long, some neighbourhoods, even within Port Harcourt, the State capital have fallen short of the minimum environmental standard. Apart from the fact that many inhabitants lack the enlightenment and the visible support of the State to abate such nuisance the blind impunity in this area is condemnable.
Rivers State has peculiar environmental challenges that must always be placed on the front burner, no matter the focus of the United Nations. The danger posed by the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons cannot be overlooked. Also critical is the pollution of the water bodies by the companies and the use of dynamites for fishing by some unscrupulous individuals.
Finally, while we note with joy the flagging-off of the implementation of the UNEP report in Ogoni, we hope that, it is not politicised as that would be one of the worst things to happen to the Niger Delta environment. Instead, the project should be expanded to cover all polluted areas in the Niger Delta. We hope that before the flag-off, issues like logistics and finance would have been fully addressed to avoid hitches.