Concern as charcoal business takes toll on Nigeria’s forests, mangroves

…State govts, agencies move to curb tide

… Traders blame environmental pollution, others for engaging in trade

By Nneka Nwogwugwu, Hauwa Ali and Fatima Saka

State governments, agencies and experts have expressed grave concern at the spate of deforestation brought about by a boom in charcoal business all over the country.

This is as environmental experts warn of dire consequences if the practice goes unabated.

This is revealed in an investigation carried out by NatureNews.Africa.

Findings have, however, revealed that all the concerned parties are trying not to leave any stone unturned to check the menace which may throw into reverse the few gains the country has made in her attempt at reforestation.

NatureNews checks also disclosed that the business of charcoal has picked up all over the country due to the astronomic hike in the prices of electricity, cooking gas, kerosene and firewood.

According to NatureNews, charcoal trading, as a source of livelihood, has gradually led to massive felling of mangrove trees in the Kogi, Enugu states and the Niger Delta geo-political zone.

Some indigenes of Kono community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State corroborated this while speaking to NatureNews correspondent in an interview.

Environmental pollution

They blamed the pollution of their rivers which is seriously killing fishes, a source of their livelihood, for making them engage in deforestation.

In an outreach organised by Health of the Mother Earth Foundation, while pouring out their grievances, they lamented that because there is no other means of livelihood, many indigenes have resorted to felling mangrove trees and selling them as firewood to buyers.

One of the fishermen, Lenwinee Nuka, also noted that apart from individual efforts in destroying the mangroves, another threat to mangroves is the growing of nipa palms which are seen to affect mangroves from growing, thus, affecting smaller fishes from feeding and growing.

He said that if the mangroves are finally gone, there will be no hope for fishermen in the community.

In the clamour for energy transition, Nigerians are still bent on using charcoal for cooking purposes.

A restaurant owner in Port Harcourt, Mrs Ebifagha, told NatureNews how cost effective it is for her when using charcoal to cook. She said it is cheaper and affordable.

“Five modules of charcoal is enough for me for a day. Using gas or electricity is very expensive” she added.

Speaking to the Executive Director of Centre for Human Rights, Health Ethnic Harmony and Livelihood Development (CHHELD), Mr Dandyson Harry Dandyson on Tuesday, he said that most villagers rely on mangrove wood for cooking and drying of fish, periwinkle and amongst others.

According to the villagers, “It makes the fish taste better.

“This is because they cannot afford the alternatives which are gas, electricity and kerosene, which are now essential commodities that are too expensive for them to acquire.

He also blamed the operations of the multinational companies for felling of mangroves.

He said, “The activities of the multinational companies in the Niger Delta are negatively affecting the mangrove of the Delta which in turn is affecting our aquatic source of Livelihood.

“Lumbering and its like is also a major cause of deforestation which leads to loss of mangrove vegetation and reduction of life expectancy in the Niger Delta.

“This is because trees and vegetation contribute to proper oxidation and lack of trees causes the opposite.”

He urged the government to be attentive to issues concerning the Niger Delta, adding that oil pollution is not only the bane of the Niger Deltans but deforestation too.

NatureNews.Africa also found out that charcoal production is a significant economic activity in Kogi State, known for its vast forests, which provide the raw materials needed for charcoal production.

Charcoal production in the state, according to investigations, is predominantly carried out in rural areas by small-scale producers. These producers often use traditional methods, such as pit kilns, to burn the wood, process which is labour-intensive and involves several stages, including wood collection, burning, and packaging.

The wood used for charcoal production in Kogi State comes from a variety of sources, including natural forests, plantations, and farmlands. However, due to the high demand for charcoal, there is concern about deforestation and the depletion of forest resources in the state.

Despite the environmental concerns, charcoal production is an important source of income for many rural households in Kogi State. It provides employment opportunities and helps to support livelihoods. Charcoal is also a widely used fuel source in Nigeria, particularly in households without access to electricity or clean cooking fuels.

NatureNerws further discovered that in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to promote sustainable charcoal production in Kogi. Efforts are being made to encourage the use of improved kiln technologies that are more efficient and environmentally friendly. Additionally, there are initiatives to promote reforestation and sustainable forest management practices to ensure the long-term viability of charcoal production in the state.

To curb this menace, the Kogi State Government in Nigeria has implemented a number of measures to improve afforestation and sustainable forest management.

One of the initiatives is the “Green Vigilante” programme, which involves the recruitment and training of young people to plant trees and protect forests in the state. This programme aims to reforest degraded areas, reduce erosion, and mitigate the impact of climate change in the state. The government has also distributed seedlings and provided technical assistance to farmers and communities to encourage them to establish woodlots and plant trees in their farms.

Additionally, the government has established a Forest Management Committee to oversee the implementation of policies and programs related to sustainable forest management, forest conservation, and afforestation.

The committee is responsible for promoting public awareness of the importance of forests, developing policies to protect forests and their biodiversity, and ensuring compliance with national and international forest laws and regulations.

Furthermore, the government has partnered with international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to support afforestation and sustainable forest management programmes in the state. For example, the FAO has provided technical assistance to the state government to develop a comprehensive forestry policy and strategy, promote community-based forest management, and establish a forest monitoring system.

Findings also revealed that charcoal production is a significant economic activity in Enugu State. The state is rich in forest resources, and charcoal production has become an important source of income for many people in rural areas.

However, the production process is often associated with environmental degradation, deforestation, and health hazards for the workers involved.

Charcoal production in Enugu State is usually carried out through the traditional method of kiln burning. This involves cutting down trees, stacking them into a conical shape, and covering them with a thick layer of soil. The wood is then burned slowly, allowing it to turn into charcoal. The process can take several days or even weeks, depending on the size of the kiln and the type of wood used.

Environmental impacts

NatureNews investigation also revealed that while charcoal production provides a source of income for many people in Enugu State, it has significant environmental impacts. The cutting down of trees for charcoal production contributes to deforestation, which can lead to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and other negative consequences. The burning of wood for charcoal also releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.

Additionally, the production process poses health risks to the workers involved. The workers are exposed to high levels of smoke and other pollutants, which can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues.

Government efforts

To address these issues, the Enugu State Government has implemented a number of policies aimed at promoting sustainable charcoal production and reducing the negative environmental and health impacts of the industry.

For example, the government has encouraged the use of alternative sources of fuel, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and has provided training and support for small-scale producers to adopt more efficient and environmentally-friendly production methods.

The government has also enforced regulations to ensure that charcoal production is carried out in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Effects on afforestation

Charcoal production can have both positive and negative effects on afforestation, depending on how it is managed.
On one hand, charcoal production can contribute to afforestation efforts by providing a source of income for local communities, which may incentivize them to protect and plant trees. In some cases, the charcoal production process can also involve using waste wood from logging operations, which reduces waste and encourages sustainable forestry practices.

On the other hand, unregulated and unsustainable charcoal production can have negative impacts on afforestation efforts. When trees are cut down for charcoal production, it can lead to deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity. This can have long-term effects on the ecosystem and can make it difficult for new trees to grow.

Environmentalist`s view

A former director of Erosion Control Management, Dr Gowon Dauda, has advised that to checkmate those involved in deforestation, every tree felled should be replaced by four adding that in fact before they start cutting the trees they should plant first.

Dauda also stressed that there should be a stop to the practice of removing of grass from the ground all the time and that people should ensure that there is a reason for that, in order to stop flooding from coming, remove the soil.

He said, “People will resolve into cutting down trees because the prices of diesel and kerosene have gone up. They resort to cutting the trees for the needed use of wood and they don’t resort to planting the trees back.

“The implications of destroying forest areas imply erosion and soil degradation. This further results into an increase in flood. This feedback effect also has implication on the economy.”