Government moves to establish national park data centres

The federal government has concluded arrangement to reposition seven national parks by establishing an information desk to generate and document relevant data for biodiversity conservation in the country. 

The Conservator-General of the service, Ibrahim Goni revealed the plan when he inaugurated the desk officers during a two-day forum held at the Akoto Base Camp, Sepeteri, Old Oyo National Park.

Goni added that what necessitated the creation of indigenous information desks, bordered on population growth and unsustainable resources consumption.

He explained that the desks were selected based on merit and ability to work effectively, urging them to identify relevant information that would boost the activities of the parks to attract tourists and visitors.

“We are taking measures to reposition the national park, to meet world standards. Climate change and global warming, invasive alien species, over-exploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation.”

According to him, to curb the menace of these environmental challenges, the management must integrate indigenous knowledge as means to complement conservation efforts already established.

Earlier, the Conservator of Park, Old Oyo National Park, Henry Ndom, thanked the C-G for selecting his park for the hosting of the first meeting of the knowledge managers.