The Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, on Friday, called for renewed collaboration, strict environmental protection and sustained security efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s largest national park, Gashaka Gumti National Park, and other protected areas across the country.

Making the call at the 7th Stakeholders’ Meeting of the Southern Sector of the Gashaka Gumti National Park, organised by the Africa Nature Investors Foundation, which held at the multipurpose hall of the 20 Modern Battalion, Serti in Gashaka Local Government, Taraba State, the minister described the gathering as a demonstration of collective commitment to the future of the park and the nation.

Recalling that the National Park Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Africa Nature Investors Foundation in 2017 to provide financial and technical support to complement federal government’s efforts, Lawal commended the partnership, saying it has significantly improved conditions within the park and enhanced the livelihoods of surrounding support-zone communities.

The minister, who urged stakeholders to continue supporting both the National Park Service and the ANI Foundation to further strengthen conservation outcomes, noted that Gashaka Gumti National Park is not only the largest park in Nigeria but also one of the richest in biodiversity, providing critical ecosystem services, including wildlife protection, watershed conservation, preservation of archaeological and historical sites, traditional medicine, ecological tourism, education, employment opportunities, and regional security.

He expressed concern that illegal activities, including poaching, grazing, mining, farming and river poisoning, continue to undermine conservation efforts by the Federal Government and its partners. He also stated that the meeting was convened to address these challenges and chart a sustainable path for effective park management and community welfare.

In his welcome address, the Conservator General of the National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni, described Gashaka Gumti National Park as Nigeria’s most diverse protected area, surrounded by about 55 support-zone communities and six enclave communities. According to Goni, this complex human–environment relationship makes stakeholder engagement essential for effective park management, and the meeting was convened to deliberate on key challenges affecting the park, including general security, dry-season grazing, illegal settlements, illegal mining, and other unlawful activities.

He emphasised that the park cannot succeed in isolation and warned that, if left unaddressed, such issues could escalate tensions, disrupt peaceful coexistence and undermine development. He therefore called for dialogue, mutual understanding and respect for the rule of law, while praising the ANI Foundation for its timely intervention and support in infrastructure development, security, community engagement, communications, technology, research, education and livelihood empowerment.

Dr. Goni said that the collaboration with ANI, alongside other traditional institutions and security agencies, has significantly improved the security and wellbeing of communities in and around the park. He stressed that the meeting was not about assigning blame but about identifying solutions and opportunities for sustainable conservation.

In his keynote address, “Balancing Heritage and Preservation,” retired Federal High Court judge Justice Ibrahim Buba described Gashaka Gumti National Park as “the lungs of the region and the inheritance of future generations,” emphasising that its protection must be pursued with both legal clarity and human sensitivity.

Speaking on the proposal by the NPS and the ANI Foundation to phase out grazing within the park’s boundaries, Buba, who described it as a major policy shift that should be guided by law, fairness and compassion, said, “This is a question of balance of convenience.” He noted that while pastoralists’ immediate needs are important, they must be weighed against the long-term survival of the ecosystem that supports farmers, herders and surrounding communities.

He cited provisions of the National Park Service Act, including Sections 29, 30 and 33, which prohibit grazing, farming and the introduction of domestic animals into national parks, noting that proper law enforcement could help restore order, reduce farmer–herder conflicts and prevent criminal elements from exploiting pastoral activities as cover, while warning that violations attract penalties under Section 37.

He also highlighted legal provisions that enable peaceful and gradual enforcement, including the compounding of offences under Section 41, mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms involving traditional institutions, and administrative compliance orders that provide grace periods before sanctions.

Also speaking, Dr George Okeyoyin, ANI Foundation’s Senior Strategic Adviser, said the session was part of ANI’s ongoing engagement, which brings pastoralists, farmers and other stakeholders together to foster greater understanding and cooperation.

According to him, initiatives by the ANI Foundation, such as the ongoing vaccination of cattle in communities around the park, provision of livelihood support for women, and the creation of several highly impactful savings and loan groups for women and youths, among others, boost productivity and increase conservation awareness in surrounding communities.

The minister, represented by the Conservator General of the National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni, commended the collaboration between ANI Foundation and NPS, as well as the support of Taraba and Adamawa State Governments, traditional councils, local governments, security agencies, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, FUDECO, host communities and the media, and highlighted Nigeria’s environmental priorities.

He referenced recent policies of the Federal Ministry of Environment and an Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, curbing illegal logging, mining, grazing and hunting, and promoting sustainable development. The Order targets a 12 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, improved air quality, increased use of renewable energy, job creation, and enhanced energy security.

On security, he disclosed that the president has established the Forest Guards Initiative to complement the efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies in tackling banditry and terrorism. Over 7,000 forest guards have already been trained and deployed across seven pilot states, including Taraba.