More Deforestation Means Extra Threats To Wildlife Survival

The more forest is cut down for timber, firewood and farmland, the fewer habitats are left for wildlife such as the Cross River Gorilla, Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, Forest elephant, hogs, Preuss monkey, Bannerman’s weaver and many more.

Lebialem Division in the Southwest Region, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, is facing such unconstructive forest exploitation which threatens the survival of crucial wildlife species.

About 95% of the Lebialem population are farmers who depend heavily on forest products to raise income for their families. Consequently, they cut down forest or burn it to create way for their crops. These have led to the killing of many wildlife species due to illegal hunting and trapping activities, as well as a loss of their habitats.

At this vital moment, the ERuDeF education team engaged the local communities on the conservation of natural resources as well as the role wildlife plays in the environment, which are all beneficial to humans. This intervention has helped to reduce these harmful human activities in areas like Esso-Attah.

The environmental education has also reached to Mbetta in neighbouring Kupe-Muanenguba Division.

By Emmanuel Ndip