The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed commitment to sustainable biodiversity management through partnership with reputable Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, said that biodiversity was an essential asset that must be sustainably managed, wisely utilised and conserved for future generation.
Bello said the greatest threats facing Biological Diversity today were numerous but prominent amongst them were habitat destruction and over-exploitation.
He added that the quest by property developers to acquire land for housing projects has led to the wanton destruction of many wetlands and forest ecosystems which serve as habitat for a considerable percentage of the state’s biodiversity.
He said over-exploitation of wildlife was also a major contributor to the increasing decline in the population of several species of animals in the state.
According to him, animals that are facing imminent threat of extinction were Pangolin, hooded vulture, sea turtle and manatee populations.
The trend, he said, is destroying the Earth’s Biological Diversity while equally upsetting the Environment’s Ecological Balance.
The Commissioner said the state government was aware of the development and has continuously taken various steps aimed at addressing them.