Proposed Projects
PROPOSED PROJECT INTERVENTIONS
Biological conservation in buffer zones of National Parks and other Protected Areas.
In order to reduce the damaging effects of human activities on National Parks and other protected areas, it is necessary to practice biological conservation in the buffer zones around the reserves. We intend to establish working models to demonstrate effective buffer zone management, working with local communities, to find ways of increasing income for the community without compromising the integrity of the Protected areas. The total cost of the pilot phase of this intervention is estimated at N 333,720,000.
Training in reduced impact utilization techniques (RIU)
This is required to implement the above programmes. NCF will train community people and relevant forestry personnel in modern RIU techniques. These techniques will significantly reduce the environmental impact and social disruption caused by intensive renewable natural resources extraction. They include planning, establishing extraction quota and enforcing guidelines for resources extraction. A well-developed set of guidelines for forest resources management will help both the government and communities to devise and implement sustainable forest polices and practices. Training in six zones around the country will cost N620, 120,000
Identification of key biodiversity sites for listing in the National Biodiversity Strategic and Action Plan (NBSAP).
Our publication “Critical Sites for Biodiversity Conservation in Nigeria” lists sites of biodiversity importance in Nigeria. Building on this, NCF will continue to commission research and data collection to identify other key biodiversity sites for conservation and management. This activity will cost N236, 367,000.
Development and Management of coastal/marine protected areas
Nigeria has, at present, no coastal and marine protected area. Sustainable management of mangrove resources and the protection of marine fish breeding grounds and sea turtle nesting sites depend on the establishment of such a conservation area. We view this intervention as urgent. A pilot to be implemented in collaboration with the Niger Delta University will cost N 537,880,600.
Publicity and Awareness campaigns
We intend to intensify and extend our environmental awareness campaigns to bring environmental issues to all Nigerians especially those that affect lives, such as pollution, renewable natural resources (RNR) utilization, generation of income from RNR, climate change, invasive species, floods and erosion. Our future public awareness and community education activities in the next five years will cost, N572, 700,000.
Lekki Conservation Center
Lekki Conservation Center (LCC) is situated in Lekki Peninsula and covers an area of 78 ha of a mosaic of coastal wetland types dominated by a fresh water swamp forest that is seasonally influenced by seawater. LCC is a representative of the coastal flora and fauna of Lagos state. LCC provides habitat for many of the wildlife resources typical of Southwestern Nigeria coastal region. LCC serves as protected area icon in Nigeria, particularly in Southwest against the upsurge anthropogenic pressure on the environment. LCC consist of a Nature Reserve and Lekki Conservation Center Complex, which houses the NCF National Secretariat. Activities at the Center include: biological research and surveys, eco-tourism and environmental education among others. An average of N15,000,000.00 is required to run LCC annually
Technologies for Conservation and Development (T4CD)
This project will identify, introduce, adapt and report on mobile phones and their integration with other information and communication technologies (ICTs) in supporting conservation and sustainable development. It aims to bridge business and biodiversity by enabling the private sector, Government bodies and civil society to work for direct and indirect conservation gains linked to community development activities such as eco – tourism, income generation, recycling, wildlife protection and education. The project is developed in collaboration with Fauna & Flora International. NCF seeks partnership with ICT companies and a start grant of N250, 000, 000.00 for equipment procurement, and training. We also need the direct collaboration of telecommunication service providers in this effort.
Conservation of Keystone and Charismatic Species.
Certain keystone species such as Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Elephants, endemic primates and rare/endemic birds are under severe pressure due to hunting and habitat loss. The continued existence of these species is threatened. Saving populations of keystone species involve conservation action plans for he species including a management plan for key ecosystems in Nigeria. This activity will cost N200, 000,000.00 in a five-year term.
Control of Invasive Species
Invasive species inhibit ecological processes and reduce the value of the environment, thereby limiting the livelihood option available to people living and dependent on such ecosystems. This is often a recipe for poverty. Nipa Palm for example, was introduced into Nigeria in 1906 from the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The species (according to available documentation) was introduced to control coastal erosion. However we are not able to demonstrate the efficiency of Nipa in coastal erosion control rather, the plant has displaced the native mangroves of the Niger Della causing loss of biodiversity and hardship coastal human populations who depend on the biodiversity and the dynamics of the mangrove ecosystem for their livelihood. NCF established a Nipa Palm Control by Utilization project in 1997.
Typha is another invasive plant species devastating the watersheds of Chad Basin and Hadejia Nguru wetlands causing flooding, loss of farmlands and conflict among different occupational groups – farmers, herders and fishermen. NCF seeks a financial support of N210, 720,000.00 for a five-year invasive species control intervention.
Clean up of the Niger Delta
The 70,000 square kilometers Niger Delta contains 7,000 of Africa’s 9,000 square kilometers of mangroves, and is considered one of the 10 most important wetlands and marine ecosystems in the world. Millions of people depend upon the delta’s natural resources for survival, including the poor in many other West African countries who rely on the migratory fish from the Delta. The region contains many threatened species found nowhere else in the world, including several primates, ungulates and birds.
An estimated 9 million – 13 million barrels (1.5 million tons) of oil has spilled in the Niger Delta ecosystem over the past 50 years. The financial valuation of the environmental damage caused by 50 years of oil and gas activities in the region - taking into account the unique and productive character of the ecosystem as well as comparable valuations on other such ecosystems – would be tens of billions of dollars.
In addition to spills, damage from oil and gas operations in the region has included extensive habitat degradation from road building, forest clearing, dredging and filling; pollution from gas flaring and operational discharges, and increased population pressure from immigration to the region.
Oil development occurred in the Delta without a comprehensive, strategic plan, which would have protected its natural resources. Many of the oil facilities and operations are located within sensitive habitats - including areas vital to fish breeding, sea turtle nesting, mangroves and rainforests - that have often been severely damaged, contributing to increased biodiversity loss and poverty.
The damage from oil and gas operations is chronic and cumulative, and has acted synergistically with other sources of environmental stress to result in a severely impaired coastal ecosystem and compromised livelihoods and health of the regions impoverished residents. Rural communities in the Niger Delta have suffered most of the environmental and social costs of 50 years of oil development, and claim to have received very little of the benefits. This is a significant contributor to the current violence, sabotage of pipelines/installations and instability in the region.
A comprehensive Environmental Restoration Programme should be developed and implemented immediately. NCF seeks N765, 340, 000.00 for a fist pilot phase of a restoration programme. This independent effort should be supported financially by the oil and gas industry in the region as well as International Development Agencies.
Conservation Internship Fund
Classical biology courses in the classroom do not (unfortunately) prepare young university graduate for the challenges of environment management especially integrating conservation and development through a process of sound science, empowerment of local communities, bottom-up decision-making and support for measures to meet people’s needs and improve local livelihoods,
Project Objectives:
Young Nigerians are supported to take part in conservation projects
Young Nigerians are made conscious and passionate about conservation (wise use) of renewable natural resources (RNR)
Young Nigerians are trained in management of RNR
Young Nigerians gain knowledge of RNR based enterprise development
Young Nigerians are gainfully employed.
Short term inexpensive assistance by interns in carrying out NCF mandates
Skillful and competent personnel are bred for conservation action
Activities to achieve the objectives:
Interns are placed in NCF field projects
Interns are trained in field methods for conservation action
Interns deliver on a specific field project, and are exposed to international networking opportunities
Interns contribute to NCF environmental awareness programmes
Project sponsor and NCF invest in people for the future of Nigeria
Cost: N1, 968,000.00 will support six interns annually
Abuja Liaison Office
Policy Advocacy is important for the success of these initiatives. It is, therefore, critical that NCF establishes a Liaison Office at the Federal Capital, Abuja. This will not only enhance operational performance but also further strengthens advocacy and policy lobbying whenever possible. International partners such, as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are willing to collaborate on this initiative. NCF will require an annual budget of N2, 000,000.00 as its contribution.
