By AbdulRaheem Aodu
Kaduna
Experts in the field of wildlife and environmental management has described wildlife crime as another form of terrorism that requires urgent attention by both government and stakeholders.
A lecturer with Kaduna State University, Dr Mercy Obasi, delivering a keynote address at the World Environment Day yesterday in Kaduna titled: “Wildlife Crime and Rural Livelihood in Developing Countries,” averred that wildlife crime was a transnational crime, equated to other crimes such as drugs, armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling among other forms of terrorism.
The World Environment Day with the theme ‘Go Wild for Life’ was organised by the Centre for Water and Environment Development (CWED).
Another speaker, Mr. Ezra Lekwot, also of the department of Environment Management, Kaduna State University (KASU), corroborated the position that wildlife crime is equal to terrorism.
According to the dons in their separate presentations, causes of wildlife crime include rural poverty, food insecurity, unequal distribution of available agricultural lands, economic interest, corruption, lack of law enforcement, corporate crime, increasing demand and lack of legislation and conflicts.
They suggested planting of trees, particularly those of economic value, strict adherence to stipulated laws, and avoidance of indiscriminate felling of trees, among other measures, as panacea to the problems.
The Commissioner for Environment represented by Director of Environment and Forestry in the ministry, Solomon Aguza, decried high rate of deforestation and made case for tree planting to address the ills that could lead to desertification.
He noted that indiscriminate felling of trees had driven away animals that, hitherto, lived at our backyards.
Founder of CWED, Engr. Musa Nimrod, in an interview with newsmen shortly after the presentations, called on relevant government authorities not to politicise environmental challenges.
He challenged leader at all levels of governance to do all within their powers to protect the environment at all times.
