A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) and environmental specialists has called on the Cross River State Forestry Commission to initiate an immediate review of the Forestry Law established in 2010.
These advocates cautioned that the current legislative gaps are leading to increased rates of deforestation and enabling illegal activities related to forests.
The demand arose during a press conference held in Calabar on Wednesday, organized by various CSOs, including We The People (WTP), PADIC Africa, Uyo Iban, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, and several others.
Ken Henshaw, the executive director of We The People, alongside Odigha Odigha, the chairman of the NGO Coalition for Environment in Cross River, articulated that the existing legal framework does not adequately deter forest offenses and, in some instances, inadvertently encourages illegal logging.
Mr. Henshaw emphasized the importance of viewing forest conservation and management not just as environmental duties but as economically strategic assets. He highlighted these areas as potential sources for generating climate finance and ecotourism opportunities.
"Illegal logging and wildlife trafficking continue to pose serious threats to preservation efforts. Lax penalties and enforcement loopholes have permitted these activities to thrive," he warned.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the existing law allows for penalties that could motivate rather than discourage forest crimes. He mentioned that a mere N200,000 penalty for seizing a truck during forestry offenses is a sum that many illegal loggers would easily pay to proceed with their activities.
He called for a review of the legislation to reflect the seriousness of such offenses, suggesting stricter and more appropriate penalties, better monitoring mechanisms, and enhanced cooperation among agencies to bridge enforcement deficiencies.
Beyond legal reform, Mr. Henshaw underscored that the forests of Cross River represent vast untapped economic potential. He noted that the unique biodiversity and landscapes of the state hold substantial prospects for ecotourism, which could lead to job creation and revenue generation if integrated into a modern legal framework.
He warned that diminishing forest areas, security issues linked to illegal activities, and the lack of a clear policy direction undermine these opportunities.
"By safeguarding our forests, we simultaneously secure economic prospects for both current and future generations," he stated. He advocated for incorporating community involvement in forest management, acknowledging traditional knowledge systems, and establishing community-led monitoring programs.
Mr. Henshaw also urged for any updated forestry legislation to formally recognize ecotourism within forest governance, support conservation-based businesses legally, and facilitate structured avenues for public-private partnerships.
Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Odigha highlighted that the ecological situation in the state has reached a critical point.
"Cross River is home to Nigeria's most expansive and diverse tropical rainforest ecosystem," he remarked.
He added that the state has lost over 60 percent of its original forest cover, with vast areas that were once lush rainforests now degraded to barren landscapes. He stressed that if immediate reforms are not enacted, the state risks irrevocably losing its invaluable ecological resources.
He concluded by warning that the absence of prompt legislative updates, fortified enforcement measures, and community-centered forest management could lead to both ecological collapse and the loss of long-term economic benefits linked to conservation and sustainable development.
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