LASG TAKES STUDENTS ON ECOTOURISM OF WETLANDS

In its bid to enhance awareness of the importance of wetland resources and encourage a sustainable approach to the Environment, the Lagos State Government has commenced the 2018 edition of the annual Conservation Ecotourism, by engaging students on a week-long tour of wetlands and other conservation sites in the State.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, speaking at a press briefing organised by the Ministry to mark the commencement of the programme in Alausa on Thursday, noted that the Youth Outreach Ecotourism Programme on Wetland and Biodiversity Conservation for Lagos State Secondary Schools would hold its third edition to buttress government’s belief in the ability of students as change agents.

Durosinmi-Etti stated that the ecotourism programme had been organised with the primary aim of expanding the knowledge and changing the mindset of the general public about conventional tourism, especially in relation to the environment.

The Commissioner said that the goal of this year’s programme with the theme: ‘Balancing Biodiversity Conservation with Community Livelihood in Lagos State’, was to educate the general public about human values towards a sustainable environment and bring about a situation in which people live in harmony with nature.

According to him, the youth outreach ecotourism programme on wetland and biodiversity conservation would provide science-based, hands-on activities for students to gain a proper understanding of functions and values of wetlands and biodiversity as well as explore strategies for sustaining these unique ecosystems.

Decrying the alarming rate of wetlands and biodiversity loss in Lagos State, he called for an urgent halt of the indiscriminate destruction of natural habitats induced by unregulated human activities.

He said that having realised the capacity of young ones to communicate and bring about change, the Lagos State Government was educating the youth, as leaders of tomorrow, to embrace the correct and sustainable use of God-given environmental resources and spread the message to others.

Durosinmi-Etti pointed out that the ten participating students, who were selected through a rigorous process, would have the opportunity to visit some pristine and fragile ecosystems, zoological gardens and conservation centres across the five divisions of Lagos State to get acquainted with the abundant wetlands resources and biodiversity of the State.

He enjoined Lagosians to commit themselves to a lifestyle that encouraged environment-friendly options and embraced the attitude of visiting eco-tourism sites for relaxation and knowledge of the environment, stressing that the future generation would not forgive us if will fail to protect the environment.