Role of Ecotourism Development as Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Climate Change Mitigation in Cross River State-Nigeria
Egbe, Cyprian Amba, (Ph.D)
Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike- Abia State
Email: egbecypral@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Since the 1970’s threats from the Sahelian drought which alerted the world community of a possible climate change and the continued rise in the long term mean temperature of the world, meteorologist, geographers, geologists, climatologist as well as environmentalists and agriculturists have been restive in making efforts to control the envisaged phenomenon. ‘The incessant ecological degradation and attendant biodiversity loss of nature’s species all over the world and Nigeria in particular tend to threaten the survival of mankind on planet earth. Efforts so far to mitigate this scenario no doubt have been commendable. These are through brain -storming in conferences and workshops such as the 1987 Montreal protocol, UN sponsored 1992 framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC), the 1997 Kyoto protocol, the Copenhagen conferences in 2010 and the kankok conference in Mexico. Others are introduction of carbon credit and accumulation of carbon in the forest zones, tree planting, awareness campaign, the conservation of forests for Nations with available forest lands, the green wall project etc. This paper focused on highlighting the important role of Ecotourism development in biodiversity conservation efforts and mitigation of increasing climate variability and change in the world and Nigeria in particular. Ecotourism is concerned with nature tourism which advocates conservation of biodiversity, creation of environmental awareness, preservation of biodiversity resources, creates employment and provides other benefits for the stakeholders. These benefits help reduce dependence of people on forest resources and encourage forest regeneration and reclamation which provides avenue for carbon sink and carbon credit to reduce incidence of climate change and provide revenue to Nigeria and the world at large.
Key words: Ecotourism, development, biodiversity conservation, climate change, mitigation
