Deforestation: Expert Cautions Against Felling Of Trees

An environmentalist, Mr Dolapo Abegunde, has cautioned against indiscriminate felling of trees, saying it aides environmental degradation and deforestation.
Abegunde told Tide source in Omu-Aran that felling of trees deprived the forest of portions of its canopy that was a major component of environmental protection.
“This canopy is meant to block the sun rays during the day and hold in heat at night.
“This disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals,” she said.
Abegunde said that trees were noted for playing critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming.
According to her, fewer forests mean larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere.
She said that such development increased the speed and severity of global warming.
Abegunde listed the growing urban sprawl, agricultural activities and logging for commercial purpose as factors responsible for the indiscriminate felling of trees.
She also highlighted the increase in the use of charcoal occasioned by rise in the prices of kerosene and gas, including the epileptic power supply, as another factor.
Abegunde cited Kwara and Oyo States as the two major charcoal-producing states in the country.
“Charcoal usage in Nigeria is becoming a big business, even for export, which long term impact can prove disastrous.
“Wood fuel means around a tenth of the world’s energy demand with its users overwhelmingly found in sub-Sahara Africa,” she said.
The environmentalist said that careful management of the forest resources would enable the environment to remain intact.
Abegunde urged the three tiers of government to campaign aggressively for tree planting to curb the menace of deforestation.