Government at various levels have been urged to deploy technology such as drones, surveillance cameras and Global Positioning Tracking System to monitor forests in order to guide against criminals using them as hideouts.
A lecturer in the department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Olagunju Olujobi gave the advice in commemoration of this year’s International Day of Forests.
Professor Olujobi said deployment of such technology would enable security personnel to monitor and secure the forests as well provide them real-time data to respond effectively to criminal activities.
He however called for strict punishment for bandits and kidnappers using the forests as hideouts to serve as deterrent to other potential offenders.
On implication of turning forests into residential areas, the Don emphasized that such move could lead to soil erosion, higher temperatures in urban areas compared to rural areas and extinction of some animals and plants.
The Lecturer stressed that forests provide opportunities for recreation, relaxation and cultural activities, saying that depriving people access to nature can have negative impacts on physical and mental well-being.
Speaking on this year’s theme “Forests and Innovation”, Professor Olujobi identified innovations found in the forest to include wood, bamboo and fibers used in construction, furniture and textiles.
The Don stressed that many plants found in forests have been used as herbal medicine for centuries by indigenous communities for the treatment of diseases and illnesses.
He however advocated prevention of illegal logging and poaching activities in the forests for sustainable agriculture and land management practices.
The United Nations General Assembly in 2012 proclaimed March 21 the International Day of Forests to protect and conserve forests for maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources for future generations.
