By Faridat Salifu
The Enugu State Government’s recently announced eco-tourism projects—including Nigeria’s longest canopy walkway and its first full-scale zipline—have sparked interest for their tourism potential, but also raise important environmental questions as the state expands development into forested and ecologically sensitive areas.
According to Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, the 600-metre canopy walkway will be constructed at the Nsude Pyramid site, while the 300-metre zipline is slated for Ngwo Pine Forest.
Both projects are part of a phased strategy aimed at promoting tourism and showcasing the state’s natural landscapes.
“These developments are not just about aesthetics or thrill-seeking,” Madueke said. “They are part of a larger strategy to create eco-friendly attractions that drive sustainable development.”
However, environmental experts say that while eco-tourism can be a tool for conservation, it must be carefully managed to avoid degrading the very ecosystems it aims to highlight.
Ngwo Pine Forest, Awhum Waterfall, and the surrounding areas targeted for development are known for their biodiversity, including endemic flora and fauna, and play a role in local climate regulation and water systems.
Environmentalists caution that large-scale construction—such as ziplines, elevated walkways, and the proposed 50-meter-high Cross of Hope—can disturb habitats, increase foot traffic, and introduce waste and noise pollution unless mitigated with strict conservation protocols.
The government insists the projects will be executed with sustainability in mind.
The statement from Governor Peter Mbah’s media aide, Dan Nwomeh, noted that infrastructure such as boardwalks and food courts will be powered by renewable energy, while “experience centers” will help educate visitors on environmental stewardship.
Awhum Waterfall, for example, will include not only a second canopy walkway but also a boardwalk designed to minimize human impact on the ecosystem.
Still, some conservationists argue that the true test will come in implementation and enforcement of environmental safeguards.
“These are significant ecological zones,” said a local conservation advocate who asked not to be named. “You can’t talk about eco-tourism without addressing the footprint of development. The government should involve environmental scientists, local communities, and impact assessments every step of the way.”
Beyond tourism, the Enugu government is also investing in digital and youth empowerment.
A newly completed Youth Animation Lab aims to equip young people with creative tech skills, while more than 2,100 trained youths are set to be empowered this August, coinciding with International Youth Day.
As the state positions itself as a hub for both tourism and innovation, environmentalists are urging a balance between economic development and ecological preservation—especially in regions that form part of Nigeria’s dwindling forest cover.
Whether these projects emerge as models of sustainable tourism or cautionary tales of unchecked development may ultimately depend on how well the promises of eco-conscious planning are followed through in practice. END
