The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands Project, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) identified climate change, pollution among others as threats to conservation status of migratory birds.
Mr Harry Hanson, the Project Officer stated this at the comemoration of ‘World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD)’ 2023 on Saturday in Nguru, Yobe state.
WMBD 2023 is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
The theme for this year’s is ‘Water: Sustaining Birdlife’, and it focused on the importance of water to migratory birds.
Hanson said increasing human demand for water, pollution and climate change had a direct impact on the availability of clean water and the conservation status of many migratory birds.
He added that human activities such as intensive agriculture, rapid urbanization, and other forms of development were also among the causes.
“The vast majority of migratory birds rely on aquatic ecosystems during their life cycles.
“Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems are becoming increasingly threatened around the world and so are the migratory birds that depend on them,” he lamented.
Hanson therefore called for conservation and sustainable management of water resources for both people and nature.
“In doing so, we can protect the ecosystems and migratory birds that depend on them for survival,” he he added.
He appealed to Nguru community leaders and school conservation club members, who were present at occasion to play their roles for conservation and management of Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands ecosystems for the winter birds visitors.
In his remarks, Mr Ladan Galadima, the Chairman, NCF promoters Committee, Yobe thanked the Foundation for constantly celebrating global environmental awareness days.
He also commended the school children and all other stakeholders efforts to ensure the event was successful.
