Over 1.5m Hectares Of Degraded Forests Restored.

President Bola Tinubu has said that implementation of the National Afforestation Programme through the Pan African Great Green Wall initiative and other nationwide afforestation and reforestation activities programmes have resulted in the restoration of over 1.5 million hectares of degraded forests and other landscapes.

The President also said the initiative has led to the establishment of over 1,428.9km Shelterbelts covering 4,286ha.

Tinubu spoke at the 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from May 6 – 10, 2024.

President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Environment, BalarabeLawal, said his administration was committed to protecting and restoring Nigeria’s forests.

President Tinubu said to facilitate strict compliance and enforcement of environmental laws as well as ensure that the benefits of conservation and sustainable development was protected and equitably distributed among all segments of society, Nigeria developed Wildlife Crime Rapid Reference Guide for Investigators, Prosecutors, and Judges aimed at harmonising the existing Legal Framework in enforcement and prosecuting environmental criminal syndicates.