Preserving Oban biosphere reserve through UNESCO’s sustainable biodiversity businesses

BY IJEOMA OLORUNFEMI

The Oban Biosphere Reserve, a tropical rainforest in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, covers about 557, 682 hectares and was nominated by UNESCO in 2020 as a global biosphere reserve.

It was established under the Cross River-National Park in 1991 and harbours more than 25,000 species of animals, trees and plants.

These species are valuable and resourceful to the 40 communities surrounding the forest, providing medicine, food, water, and many other resources.

However, the persistent harvesting of the resources in the forest became a global concern; hence, UNESCO intensified advocacy for its preservation to ensure that its natural resources still nurture humans and their environment and help avert severe climate actions.

Among the 40 communities around the rainforest, UNESCO selected 12 communities to empower five persons from 250 families with the knowledge on sustainable biodiversity businesses that could earn them alternative livelihood thereby preserving the forest.

The communities included Old Netim, Nsan, Obung, Ojor, Nsofang, New Ekuri, Old Ekuri, Neghe, Oban, Osomba, Orem and Ojok.

The programme was one in the series of the organisations training on “Biodiversity Business in Oban Biosphere Reserve, Omo Biosphere Reserve and Shere Hills Reserve, Nigeria: A Means to Poverty Reduction, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in Nigeria’’ and supported by India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

The training of the Oban communities focused on environment education and biodiversity conservation, biodiversity business management, processes and book keeping, piggery biodiversity business, fish farming and poultry biodiversity businesses.

Sponsored by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, the project was held in collaboration with Nigerian Man and Biosphere (MAB) committee, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and the National Park Service (NPS).

Dr Enang Moma, National Professional Officer, Natural Science Sector, UNESCO, said the training was designed to conserve biodiversity, create wealth through the establishment of biodiversity businesses.

“People depend on biodiversity for their livelihoods but it has to be done in a sustainable manner, in a way that the biodiversity is conserved because biodiversity is important for so many things.

“Biodiversity is important for climate change adaptation, food production but we want to ensure that the people depend on biodiversity in a sustainable manner, it will improve livelihood and reduce poverty, create wealth with focus on women and young entrepreneurs for inclusive development,” he said.

Mr Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, represented by Zacharia Yaduma, D-G of FRIN, agreed that the training would provide opportunities for communities to benefit from the sustainable use of natural resources while safeguarding the ecological integrity of their environment.

“Environmental education is important in this regard to promote community responsibility and for this reason, livelihood development and business management are integrated into this project as crucial instruments for attaining sustainability.

“By equipping participants with management and entrepreneurial skills, we are promoting the development of nature-based businesses that enhance local resources, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable production methods,’’ he said.

Buttressing on the benefits of having such reserve, he said that the conservation of the reserves would promote tourism and boost foreign exchange earnings.

Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator General, National Park Service, urged benefiting communities to ensure they acquired knowledge that would lead to the biosphere’s conservation.

Represented at the training by CP Joseph Ntui, Conservator, Cross River National Park Service (NPS), Akamkpa, Goni said that the NPS was always ready to comply with global biosphere reserve regulations and guidelines as recommended by UNESCO.

Goni recalled that part of the biosphere reserve guidelines is engaging in community-based biodiversity business initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation.

“The National Park is a global project and we are a signatory to a number of conventions on preserving wildlife, conservation of biosphere reserves.

“We have the Wildlife Conservation Society, the UN Climate Change framework–all the conventions are geared towards environmental conservation and protection.

“They are targeted at reducing the impact of climate change, other consequences and activities that contribute to degrading our environment and we have no option than to ensure that we work in line with the MAB programme, an intergovernmental scientific programme run by UNESCO for conservation of our biosphere,’’ he said.

Dr Hippolatus Lukpata, Commissioner for International Donor Coordination, Cross River State described the tropical rainforest as a model of sustainable development which its preservation should be of great concern to all Cross Riverians.

Lukpata said it is a tool for combating climate change, ensuring future economic growth and has continued to harbour endangered species.

He said the state government had in the past convened several workshops and policy engagements to strengthen conservation efforts and ensure that forest resources are sustainably managed.

“Beyond what UNESCO is doing, the state government has already put in place laws that prohibit illegal logging because of the value we derive from our forests.

“With your commitment and cooperation, we can overcome challenges, ensure that the Oban Biosphere Reserve continues to serve as a model of sustainable development for Nigeria, Africa and the world at large,’’ he said.

He advocated stronger collaboration between local communities, government agencies and development partners to protect natural ecosystems while improving rural economies.

Lukpata added that the workshop ignited a renewed spirit of partnership between stakeholders to sustain both humans and nature.

Mr Ignatius Ndifon, Traditional Ruler, Oban community, lauded the training, saying preservation of the forest would mean preservation of their ancestral heritage.

He also called on the women and youths to become advocates for the conservation of the reserve.

Prof. Morenike Ojo, Head of Elizabeth Ehi-Ebiewele Biodiversity Linkage Centre, FRIN, Ibadan, said the biosphere conservation was crucial to combating climate change and preserving natural resources.

He said that deforestation, industrialisation and waste mismanagement were key contributors to climate change.

She said such human activities affected rainfall patterns, temperature and food security, stressing the need for the restoration of degraded environments through tree planting because trees help balance the ecosystem.

Also speaking, Prof. Raphael Offiong of the Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Calabar, described tropical rainforests as the lung of the earth, which was essential for its survival.

“The day we lose these forests is the day human extinction begins and you cannot quantify their value economically, ecologically or spiritually.

“They provide oxygen, food, employment, medicine and social cohesion,’’ he said.

Participants at the training also called on governments in the state to complement interventions of international and donor agencies.

They called for more awareness on biospheres conservation because lots of community dwellers are ignorant of the destructive tendencies on their forests.