A renowned tourism expert, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, has urged Bayelsa communities to protect endangered wildlife in their forests, adding that indigenous communities are the most effective guardians of their biodiversity.

Kiyaramo spoke with journalists in Yenagoa during a tourism tour as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Wildlife Day.

Kiyaramo, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Douye Diri on Tourism, regretted the increased rate of wildlife poaching activities in Bayelsa, especially the hunting of gorillas/chimpanzees at the Edumenum National Park.

Poaching, he said, has become so alarming, even as he appealed to community leaders to protect wildlife habitats to build a thriving future for all living beings.

”The state government is determined to preserve all species within the state’s six forest reserves, including rare plant species through a legal framework, saying that the government will not fold its arms to watch the state’s forests being degraded,” he said.

The governor’s aide explained that the theme of this year’s World Wildlife Day, which is ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’ highlighted the urgent need to work across governments, civil society, and the private sector to turn commitment into action.

He noted that the day provides everyone the opportunity to reflect on the collective responsibility to protect the magnificent diversity of life on the planet.

Quoting the Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Ivonne Higuero, he said, “Human activities are laying waste to once-thriving forests, jungles, farmlands, oceans, rivers, seas, and lakes.

“One million species teeter on the brink of extinction, due to habitat destruction, fossil fuel pollution, and the worsening climate crisis. We must end this war on nature”.

Kiyaramo recalled that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which has helped to protect thousands of plants and animals, just as the last year’s agreement on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework marked an important step towards putting planet earth on a path to healing.

“We need much bolder actions now to cut emissions, accelerate renewables, and build climate resilience.

“March 3, is World Wildlife Day. It is a United Nations International day to celebrate all the world’s wild animals and plants and the contribution that they make to our lives and the health of the planet.

“This date was chosen as it is the birthday of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, (CITES), signed in 1973.

“This World Wildlife Day is also a celebration of CITES as it turns 50,” Kiyaramo added.