Forum Canvasses Innovation in Conservation of Forest Reserves

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Proper use of data analysis, artificial intelligence to monitor forest ecosystems, and adaptation to the current dynamic of forestry practice, will further promote the conservation of Forest Reserves.

Ogun State Head of Service, HoS, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, stated this while declaring open a-day lecture, organised as part of activities to mark International Day of Forests 2024, with the theme, “Forests and Innovation: New Resolution For A Better World”, held at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Mr. Fagbohun noted that deforestation, degradation, land use conflict, climate change and invasion of forests by illegal dwellers also affect the effective growth of forests, and called for joint control by all and sundry.

The Head of Service, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, the Bureau of Service Matters, Mr. Dipo Ogunfowora, pointed out that the state had constantly tackled challenges by evacuating intruders from its nine reserves, and planting more trees to avoid deforestation.

He added that the conservation of trees was a collective responsibility of all, warning that illegal activities such as the burning of trees, farm cultivation on Forest Reserves, and felling of trees, among others, would have adverse effects on society.

Also Speaking, the state Commissioner for Forestry, Mr Taiwo Oludotun, disclosed that a platform for online payment for logging operations had been set up by the Ministry to block revenue leakages arising from logging operations.

Mr. Oludotun, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mr. Timothy Olatunji lauded the present administration in the state in achieving the set target of planting over one million tree seedlings on 848.33 hectares in Forest Reserves across the state last year.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Timothy Olatunji, who spoke through the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, Mr. Kayode Onanuga, enjoined the public to imbibe the culture and practice of afforestation through aggressive tree planting and desist from deforestation.