By Atoyebi Nike
Environmental advocates have raised serious concerns over the increasing rate of deforestation in Cross River State. At the 3rd edition of the Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Deforestation held in Calabar on July 17, 2025, over 130 participants, including community leaders, conservation experts, legal professionals, and government officials, gathered to address the crisis.
The conference was organized by the NGO We the People, the conference focused on the failures of current forest protection strategies and the urgent need for new policies.
Ken Henshaw, Executive Director of We the People, noted that although the state banned logging in 2008, more than 1,070 square kilometres of forest were lost by 2014. “Despite the ban, illegal logging continued, and recent data show that the situation has worsened,” he said.
Key speakers, including environmentalist Dr. Nnimmo Bassey and Dr. Odigha Odigha, blamed weak enforcement, outdated laws, and foreign involvement in illegal timber trade. They also highlighted the role of mining and plantation expansion in accelerating forest loss.
The conference observed that forest-dependent communities are losing both their livelihood and cultural heritage, while agencies meant to protect the forests remain underfunded and unequipped.
The following are key recommendations: Review and update the Cross River State Forestry Law (2007), Strengthen forest management agencies with funding and tools, End timber concessions and plantation development in forest reserves, Collaborate with local communities for sustainable forest protection and Crack down on illegal mining and logging activities
Participants called on the state government to prioritize ecotourism and climate finance as alternatives to forest exploitation.
