SDG goal 15 is all about preserving those lush forest, stopping desertification and saving those endangered species in our forest
Why SDG goal 15
It is obvious that 1/3 if our planets land is degraded, affecting live hoods and biodiversity
Deforestation resulting to climate change climate and Extreme weather conditions
We need to protect our ecosystem especially in Nigeria
We need various stakeholders to achieve this result such as
Government Agencies
Ministry of environment,policy making regulations and enforcement
The Government manage forestry department, forest management and conservation efforts
The Government provides national parks services ,protect areas management
Local community
Indigenous groups , institutional knowledge and land stewardship
The farmers ensure sustainable Agriculture practices, Agroforestry
Community mobilize and carry out Advocacy campaign for SDG 15
NGOs & CSO
The Nigeria conservative foundation, conservative projects and Advocacy
Environmental groups awareness, community engagements
Wildlife trusts ,species conservation and research
Private sector
Companies ensure sustainable practices , CSR initiatives, eco – friendly products
Logging /timber companies are responsible for forestry practices
Tourism operators ,eco- tourism in favour of community benefits
Academia & Research
University research , innovations and capacity building
Research Institutions, Data collection , monitoring and Evaluations
International organizations
Such as UNEP, FAO, GEF assist in funding, technical support and global support to achieve the objectives of SDG 15
Donor Agencies gives financial assistance and expertise
Individuals
Individuals has a role to play towards achieving SDG 15 which includes
Activism, Advocacy and awareness creation
Volunteers community engagements on conservative efforts
Citizens sustainable choices supporting conservation
Stakeholders are needed to make SDG 15 happen by policy making and enforcement
Research and innovation
They required funding, resource mobilization for sustainable practices and lifestyle choices
Let now look at the strategic approaches towards achieving the SDG goal 15
Forest conservation
This is by protecting our forests, biodiversity, climate regulations and water cycle management
The need for National parks especially in Nigeria, one of the African most biodiversity region
Management of threat to land deforestation, logging Agriculture
Ensure sustainable forest management, reforestation, community led conservation
Sustainable Agriculture
Farming practices that work with nature not against it
Ensure Good technologies, Agroforestry, permaculture and organic farming
This will ensure benefits and health and efficient water management reduce chemicals
In Nigeria there is initiatives like the Africa development bank for sustainable agriculture projects , this development is a plus
Wildlife protection
Protecting endangered species like the gollirilas, the Nigeria – Cameroon chenpanizee
Threat’s poaching, habitats loss and Gum men wildlife conflicts
The Establishment of protected areas, community led efforts approach,
Nigeria conservative foundation works with local communities to achieve results
Land – Degradation & Habitats
Land degradation affect 35% of Nigeria land areas which causes degradation, overgrazing or affecting farming practice, loss of biodiversity Reduced productivity and climate change
Solution is to have sustainable land management, reforestation and soil conservation
Community led conservation
Local community leading to conservation efforts will be more effective and sustainable example is the community forests ecotourism initiatives collaborative management
Benefits includes improved licehoods , biodiversity, conservation, cultural preservation
Nigeria got successful projects like the ongoing community led conservative initiatives
In conclusion to achieve the SDG 15 the process are interconnected which requires collaboration partnerships and cooperation from relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired results
– Benjamin Ibrahim writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.
+2348069596250
