NIGERIA: Expert Mourns Disappearance of Forests
Copyright © 2001 The Daily Trust
October 11, 2001
Experts are continuing to express concern over the fast disappearance of forests which are (obj) easily the world's most treasured asset.
Professor Gamaniel K. Shingu, of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) in a paper he delivered at the 11th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Environmental Society explained that pressure from growing populations, and the adoption of some modern life styles are threatening the lives of species in the ecoystems that support them.
According to him, there is growing recognition that biological diversity including medicinal plants is a global asset of tremendous value to the present and future generations, adding that the loss of species caused by human activities continues at an alarming rate.
Professor Shingu also said that in 1993, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) had declared that about 5.5 million hectares of resource lands are lost every year due to deforestation, cultivation, over grazing, bush burning and erosion.
The situation he said has caused the loss of forests at an alarming rate, and also important plants which have medicinal value, have been lost too. He warned that the world may face dire consequency as a result of the development. In his words."
Indeed, for millions of Africans, traditional healers, are their only contact with medicine of any kind particularly in the rural areas where hospitals are rare, and doctors are few.
"Majority of the people depend on the treatment given by traditional healers and it is possible that the trend will continue for a long time to come."
:"The increasing scarcity of medicinal plant species represents a trend that should be addressed immediately, otherwise many potential medicinal plant species that have sustained rural people for centuries may be lost forever."
Professor Shingu, who explained that no company or person can have monopoly or exclusive right over a medicinal plant, but the developed product, however linked poverty and herbal medicine as they are interrelated.
"Rural poverty is both a cause and consequence of over-exploitation of natural resources, and the resultant degradation of the environment. The poor are the ones that are usually prone to diseases.
"Most of our herbal practitioners live in the countryside where the standard of living is generally very low. Generally, the rural communities depend entirely on forest resources for their sustenance interms of food security, income, domestic, energy and primary health care.