The Lagos State Government is set to commence an audit of its forests to mitigate the effects of climate change and secure them against intruders who use the forests as cover to perpetrate criminal activities.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this in Lagos on Tuesday at a press conference to commemorate the Y2021 International Day of Forests.

She explained that the audit would enable the state to ascertain what was left of its forest and biological biodiversity, according to a statement titled, ‘Lagos To Audit Forest Estates’.

 

The move to commence the audit of its forests comes at a time when criminal elements have turned forests in the South-West region to kidnap dens.

Olusanya noted that climate change as a global threat was worsening water stress, food vulnerability, desertification, increased global temperature as well as putting thousands of communities at risk hence it has to be factored into forest-food-water equation.

The commissioner said, “Climate change is a global threat and has to be factored into forest-food-water equation. It is exacerbating water stress, food vulnerability, desertification, increased global temperature and putting thousands of communities at risk.

“As a means of mitigating climate change, the State Government intends to carry out an audit of the forests estates in Lagos to enable us ascertain what is left of our forest and biological biodiversity with a view to properly securing them against intruders who may be using the forests as cover to perpetrate nefarious and criminal activities.”

She noted that deforestation remained a matter of deep global concern leading to global climate change and loss of biodiversity.

The commissioner also noted that the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Forest Restoration: A Path to Recovery and Well-being,’ was apt as she reiterated the commitment of the state to the promote sustainable food production in a healthy environment through efficient service delivery.

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