BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

BY: IBRAHEEM OLASUNKANMI QOSEEM from Kwara State University, Malete.

                    NEED FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Dear Ma,

         It is with embitterment of mind that I write this protracted letter to you. As I have seen and still experience the bewildered mysteries that run gamut of suffering, incessant pain and continual epileptic seasoned experience as a result of our predisposition to biological threat due to negligence and selfish cry for global standard and wanton recognitions. I still wonder why conservation matters are ensued in conspiracy  when the responsibility is meant for all. I believe it is high time we took a thorough hygiene towards attaining the giant stride in the conservation of its lost glory.

Biodiversity, in simple expression, simply means life on Earth. It is a span time through which biological entities ranging from human, plants, microorganisms, insects, animals and other creatures distinctively operate in a particular ecosystem. And of which the diverse biological entities work interdependently. In Using this simple illustration: species of organism transfer pollens from one ambience to another on a surface where species of organism( microbes) facilitate its growth to fully matured plant; while some species of organism (goats) sustain from it and species of organism(human) make live out of the latter for expedient needs. This illustratively means, the higher the number of species that can be supported in an ecosystem, the higher the rate of survival for every organism inside the ecosystem, including human race. Injustice to one is injustice to all. 

It baffles me a lot, seeing some people advertently contributing nuisance in places they benefit from. But I later realized that majority of users are less educated about the environment. Obviously, the stringent effects of human activities on the earth surface have brought about inconsistent and defaulted state of biodiversity; thus making it less likely to deliver supposed services needed for ever growing plantations and extensive proliferation of organisms in a particular location. Human race is the major threat that has grossly contributed to the negative effect of biodiversity which includes the threat of climate change due to exhaustion of fine dust largely emitted to the atmosphere. According to Julie shaw, it was indicated that, “Destruction of ecosystem is responsible for 11 percent of green house emission conserving it will reduce the emission". Another is the threat of invasive pathogens as a result of introduction of pest to the ecosystem.

Deforestation is another factor which causes extinction of organisms in an ecosystem. It causes less food for herbivores to consume; thus reducing the population of omnivores and carnivores. It can also boost the spread of disease carriers to other geographical ranges which may adversely affect a larger population of human. Concomitantly, over exploitation due to overfishing and over harvesting can grossly lead to reduction of population of species in an ecosystem.

It is my contention that the collective or individual actions stated above also bring about change in rainfall pattern, cyclical drought, flooding, diseases outbreak, acid rain, food shortage and extreme weather conditions that we experience these days. Having critically identified the ravaging effects affecting biodiversity; there is a burning need to discuss the effective strategies that will bring a long lasting solution to the intense effect. I believe there is no modicum of doubt that the collective action in support of biodiversity can turn out to be of advantages to the human population. The water we drink,   the natural atmospheric substance we breathe in, the food we consume to rumble our bellies, the clothes we wear, the ornaments that add beauties and exquisiteness to the house and natural substances which specially promote healing that we use are extracted through biodiversity. 

In ensuring we benefit from the advantages biodiversity afford us, the following steps must be taken:

 Firstly, the Ministry in charge must see herself as a standard institution that is responsible for enacting policies and regulations that will mitigate the effect of human activities that could pose a greater threat to the ecosystem. It is also the responsibility of the office to enforce the strict law on poacher and take the actions to protect the habitat and endangered species. As I have mentioned earlier, the majority of the users are not fully aware of the disgusting contributions imposed by them in their ambience of belonging. I will urge the Ministry to strategically dialogue with the ministry of Education to introduce environmental education as a subject in the school curriculum ranging from primary to tertiary institution. The most important of all; is that people should be oriented most especially villagers about danger of nature's degradation through media and other channels of communication. They must be taught some simple and effective techniques that will aid conservation of biodiversity.

Secondly, there is a need to urgently respond to the attendant dangers climate change caused as a result of natural disasters and human consumption of fossil fuels for electricity, transportation and others from industrial and agricultural practices. To mitigate the devastating actions, there is a need to shift consumption of fossil fuel to renewable and nuclear power, expansion of power grid appropriately so as to limit the use of non- renewable. There is also the need to upgrade to use of intelligent power management and policies and frequent use of public transportation system to reduce emission of carbon monoxide. Lastly, government should enforce the law on restriction of generators that run on natural gases.

Thirdly, Deforestation is a part of the significant threat combating the peaceful affairs of biodiversity. Hence there is the need to preempt this in curbing the effect of global warming due to extinction of trees like mangroves which has the capacity to store carbon in their tissue and keeping it to avoid its escape into the atmosphere. It is essential to encourage forestation by replacing a deforested tree with ten or even more so as to create crucial buffer with wetland to avoid storm and flooding related to climate change. Agricultural sectors should be made lucrative so that all and sundry will be motivated to venture into plantations thereby making huge tremendous progress to forestation achievable. Certain areas can be reserved as national park and wildlife reserved areas and there should be deep seated rules to be enforced on every citizen to always plant at least two trees in a year in a bid to achieve a stable environment. 

Fourthly, There should be thorough investigations of goods and animals to be imported from one place to another to avoid Introduction of new organisms. When these new organisms are introduced to new ecosystem; it could distort the normal functioning of the ecosystem and drastically decline the population of species on a particular location. Confined breeding of animals with a closed supervision should be encouraged by the government; this process will bring about increase in population of particular organisms.  Prosecution should be made on the violators and great punishment should be attached.

In conclusion, I solemnly believe that if compelling actions are being taken and aforementioned solutions are vehemently put into consideration to fight the environmental menaces; there will be a tremendous progress in achieving the conservation of biodiversity.

#ERUDITE2020

ASPIRING MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

#earthplusafrica