DEFORESTATION IN IGBO LAND: THE IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Abstract: Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to utilize the land and the trees. From the creation of the world, plants and trees are known to be very useful to man in various ways. These plants and trees are used as herbs for traditional medicine and as objects of traditional worship in shrines. They are economic trees and their roots control erosions and protect people’s houses and farmlands from being washed away by flood. The trees themselves serve as wind breakers and provide shades in the traditional Igbo homes and village part ways. This study seeks to find out the causes and implications of deforestation in Igbo land and suggests how to remedy the situation. The researchers based the research on survey method, then information from the internet, relevant written materials, and trips to Anambra State Ministry of Environment, Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Ministry of Environment for oral interviews. Some of the findings are that; due to deforestation, the useful plants and trees are destroyed without being replaced and mankind has been exposed to a lot of dangerous consequences and untold hardships which invariably are not favorable to the Igbo cultural heritage. The deforestation has caused so much harms to the Igbo people, such as: disease, climate imbalance and climate change, loss of plants and wild life species, flooding/erosion, and food insecurity. The researchers then suggest that people should desist from felling trees so as to stabilize the climate, save wildlife species and protect the wellbeing of the people.