OPINION: Let Our Trees Survive In Cross River State

By Anthony Ekpo BASSEY

The Chinese Proverb has it that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. Perhaps, those who fell our trees without replacements probably do not care a hoot about the proverb neither did they care about the survival and the sustainability of the earth in which they live in. It is for such people that Wendell Berry, an environmental activist echoed that “the care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility."

Sources across the web disclose that trees fight air pollution. We cannot agree less to this fact. Obviously, the air we breathe is replete with a lot of pollution. There are pollutions that are caused by humans. There are also those that are caused by industrial activities of some industries, companies and factories that operate within and around us and they affect us in one or several ways. There are also those that are caused by nature. To this end, there is every need to allow our trees wrestle the pollutions on our behalf, in order to let us enjoy a less polluted environment. There is no gainsaying that every form of pollution in the environment is hazardous to health. If we must live healthy lives, we need trees to decimate some of the pollutions in our environment. We need to breathe fresh air that can ventilate our lungs and increase our lifespan. We stand a risk of causing havoc to our respiratory system if we inhale the air that is characterised by all manner of pollution.

Besides, we live in an era of climate change. Has anyone bothered to interrogate the reason for the heat we keep experiencing even during the supposed wet season?  It is extremely hot. Again, the heat is scorching and generates some rashes on our skin. For some people, especially, those whose skins are sensitive to heat, they feel some form of extreme discomfort and one could even notice some red spots or lines on their skin. It is really hot. Agreed! Sweat is considered a form of detoxification of the skin but too much of it, arising from the hot weather can be detestable and disgusting to sight.

To this end, we need a proper climate regulation. This is easy and can be achieved if there are trees within and around us. As much as our body needs heat at intervals, same body needs some form of cold and warm. Anything extreme can be dangerous and disastrous. We need a balance. The trees can afford us cold breeze even at hot season. Trees can also shield us from extreme weather conditions as well as thunderstorms and strikes. Apart from its economic importance, trees are widely appreciated for the shades they provide for humans and animals.

Again, owing to human activities, our earth is gradually degrading. This is evident in the soil erosion in some parts of our state. What is erosion? In a simplest sense, it is the washing away of the top soil. When overlooked, it can lead to an earthquake. Many countries of the world have experienced earthquake which consumed lives and properties that were never recovered. It is necessary that we pay attention to our earth by protecting it from further degradation. Trees, can help in this regard. It is common knowledge that trees can prevent soil erosion. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, trees manage runoff, their leaf canopies help reduce erosion caused by falling rain and they provide surface area where rain water land and evaporates. Moreover, roots take up water and help create conditions in the soil that promote infiltration. In other words, they intercept rainfall which stops 'splash erosion.' There is also the process of transpiration. This has also help in mitigating flood. Otherwise, we would have been recording more devastating flood incidents, as it is in other parts of the world.

In Cross River State, the government of Donald Duke (1999-2007) had embarked on a massive tree planting exercise. His immediate successor, Liyel Imoke also did planted some trees and even preserved the ones that were planted by his predecessor. The administration of Ben Ayade earns no credit for tree planting or preservation exercise. In fact, in his days, this state witnessed the worst tree-felling in history. The imaginative superhighway that never was, had given way to timber logging in a manner that never was in our state. This is one of the chief reasons we are exposed to very harsh and hot weather condition in many parts of Cross River State. It was not so before now. Then, we could boast of rich tropical rainforests. In fact, it was one of the tourist's attractions in the tourism flourishing era of Donald Duke's administration.

At the urban centres particularly in Calabar, the trees have added to the aesthetic value and beauty of the state. This can mostly be noticed when you stroll or drive through some of the roads within the metropolis. The ambience it offers is beautiful especially, when the streetlights are on late in the evening and at night time.

Sad and bad, on several counts, there were times the tress fell on motorists and casualties were recorded. This is a statement to staff of the State Environmental Protection Agency that the trees need to be trimmed when necessary and their roots properly checked to avoid further casualties and traffic log.

Let our trees be, if not for anything else, to fight air pollution and sanitise our atmosphere for our health sake.