By Smart Emmanuel
In a significant move to bolster conservation efforts and enhance security in north-central Nigeria, the Federal Government has officially taken over the Alawa Game Reserve in Shiroro area of Niger State, upgrading it to a National Park.
This move comes after years of the game reserve being an ungoverned area, often inhabited by terrorists.
Already, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has inaugurated a transition committee to oversee the handover process.
“I am optimistic that our collaboration with the Federal government in ensuring smooth handling and taking over of the Alawa Game Reserve would bring about increased security of lives and property of the people in the state,” Governor Bago said while expressing optimism about the collaboration with the Federal Government.
The Governor also highlighted the importance of conservation and ecosystem mitigation, describing the inauguration as a historic event.
He emphasized the need for the Nigeria National Park Service to work closely with the State Security Committee, noting that the state has 10,000 rangers working in ungoverned spaces to prevent conflicts.
Conservator-General of the Nigeria National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni, who explained the process of upgrading the Alawa Game Reserve to a National Park, said, the National Council of Environment in 2009 approached some state governments with a request to take over 10 forests to expand the country’s forest cover.
He said, by 2013, Niger State approved the request, making Alawa Game Reserve to be among the 10 proposed sites across the country approved in 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The transition committee is composed of representatives from the Niger State Government, the Nigeria National Park Service, and the host community.
Shariff Labaran Musa, the Director of Forestry and Wildlife Service for Niger State, will serve as the Chairman, while Fatima Balarabe of the Nigeria National Park Service will be the Secretary.
Meanwhile, Governor Bago has expressed concern over the activities of butchers, loggers, and extremists around the Kainji National Park, stressing the need to address the issues.
He assured citizens that the provincial government, in collaboration with the national government, is committed to tackling the challenges.
The upgrade of the Alawa Game Reserve to a National Park marks a significant step towards enhancing environmental conservation and ensuring the safety and security of the region.
The takeover is expected to yield increased protection of wildlife and natural resources, while also providing a safer environment for the local communities.
