Reverting to nature as a major arsenals in a
universal fight against Climate Change impact and loss of biodiversity, the
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), views sustainable
Land use and Forest (the main crux of the Glasgow declaration 2021) as the way
to go. Forest conservation, protection and management in the context of REDD+
would guarantee sustainable ecosystem and mitigate climate change impacts. At
National and subnational levels, the Nigerian REDD+ readiness scheme holds out
hope for environmental sustainability. This study throws light into the
historical background of trends in land use forest change in Nigeria, and places
Nigeria on a “red” stage 3 (Low Forest Cover, High Deforestation Rate-LFHD) status while
maintaining optimism that with REDD+ properly implemented in Nigeria, Stage 4:
Low forest cover, Low Deforestation Rates (LFLD) and Stage 5: Low forest cover,
Negative Deforestation Rates (LFND) can be achieved by 2030 and 2050
respectively, if the trio of reforestation, afforestation and natural
restoration is practiced as a matter of national policy and subnational
implementation within the context of REDD+. Four (4) broad drivers of
deforestation and forest degradation were identified as direct, indirect,
pre-disposing and planned /unplanned. The paper concludes that a viable pathway
to sustainable environmental management is appropriate monitoring and evaluation
of land use and forest dynamics in the context of REDD+.
References
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Thiaw, I. (2021). Being a Statement by the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) during the Glasgow Declaration. https://www.unccd.int/news-stories/statements/glasgow-leaders-declaration-forests-and-land-use#:~:text=At%20UNCCD%2C%20we%20know%20the,land%20degradation%2C%20desertification%20and%20drought
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