Commissioner for The Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare made this assertion at the commencement of the second edition of the Conservation Ecotourism for students in Lagos State Secondary Schools in Ikeja, Lagos.
Following the alarming rate of wetlands and biodiversity loss in Lagos area, the state government has called for the conservation of protected natural areas, through ecotourism.
Commissioner for The Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare made this assertion at the commencement of the second edition of the Conservation Ecotourism for students in Lagos State Secondary Schools in Ikeja, Lagos.
The commissioner said the loss of the wetlands and biodiversity was occasioned by indiscriminate destruction of natural habitats, reclamation for housing estate development and population expansion.
He stressed that the maiden edition hosted last year was aimed at changing the perception of the general public about conventional tourism, especially as it relates to the environment.
According to him, the tour has clearly shown the commitment of the Lagos State Government to environmental sustainability by bringing together sustainable travel practices that promote the conservation of protected natural areas.
The government, he said is being mindful of the capacity of the young ones to communicate and bring about change, has adopted the strategy to educate every young pupil to embrace sustainable use of environmental resources and discourage unhealthy abuse of the wetlands in the state.
Consequently, the Youth Wetlands Education and Eco-tourism programme is designed to provide science-based, hands-on activities for students to gain proper understanding of the functions and values of wetlands and explore strategies for sustaining these unique ecosystems.
He said: “The Lagos State Government commenced the protection of wetlands in the state.
