A renowned tourism expert, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, on Sunday urged Bayelsa communities to protect endangered wildlife in their forests, saying that indigenous communities were the most effective guardians of their biodiversity.

Kiyaramo spoke with Travel Journalists in Yenagoa as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Wildlife Day.

Kiyaramo regretted that the increased rate of wildlife poaching activities in Bayelsa, especially hunting of gorillas/chimpanzees at the Edumenum National Park, has become so alarming

Kiyaramo, who is also a Senior Special Assistant to Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism, appealed to community leaders to protect wildlife habitats with a view to building a thriving future for all living beings.

According to Kiyaramo, Bayelsa government was determined to preserve all species within the state’s six forest reserves, including rare plant species through a legal framework, warning that the government would not fold its arms to watch the state’s forests being degraded.

The Governor’s aide explained that the theme of this year’s World Wildlife Day: “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 World Wildlife Day provides everyone an opportunity to reflect on the collective responsibility to protect the magnificent diversity of life on the planet.

Kiyaramo, therefore, quoted Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Ivonne Higuero, who 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.”

He 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 said.