The National Park Service has assured Nigerians of its ongoing efforts to mitigate climate change through carbon reduction.

The Conservator-General of the NPS, Ibrahim Goni, made the commitment in Abuja on Wednesday.

The CG stated that the approval for the establishment of 10 new national parks in the country would contribute to carbon reduction.

Mr Goni said, “The seven national parks provide a total area of vegetation of 20,000 square kilometres, and we are confident that it would sequestrate carbon by 4.8 million parts. This means that with the introduction of the new 10 national parks, carbon dioxide is going to be sequestrated.’’

He further advised residents to engage in afforestation to reclaim lands that had been degraded due to erosion.

He also commended the federal government for its efforts in carbon mediation and for planting 25 million trees to cushion the effects of climate change in the country, describing it as a huge step towards conserving the country’s natural resources.

In 2020, the federal government approved the establishment of 10 new national parks. They include Alawa National Park in Niger State, Apoi and Edumenun National Parks in Bayelsa State, Galgore National Park in Kano State, and Hadejia Wetland National Park in Jigawa State.

Others are Kampe National Park in Kwara, Kogo National Park in Katsina, Marhi National Park in Nasarawa State, Oba Hill National Park in Osun and Pandam National Park in Plateau State. 

(NAN)