The Jigawa state government on Tuesday transferred ownership of the Hadejia Wetland Game Reserve to the Federal Government.
Gov. Umar Namadi said this in Dutse during the formal handing-over of the reserve to the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Abbas.
Baturiya Bird Sanctuary otherwise referred to Hadejia Wetland Game Reserve is located in the northeastern part of Jigawa, traversing through Kirikasamma, Auyo and Birniwa Local Government Areas of the state.
The game reserve serves as a sanctuary to a variety of migratory and resident birds.
Namadi said the development would fast track upgrade of the reserve into a national park.
According to him, the Hadejia wetlands is a classic example of a natural wetland with undisturbed Sahelian characteristics comprising natural ponds and seasonally flooded lands.
“As a perpetual wetland which falls within the Baturiya Games Reserve, it supports a great diversity of flora and fauna. It is very popular as a home of wide range of resident and migratory waterbirds which makes it an International Birds Sanctuary.
“I recall once reading that the Baturiya Bird Sanctuary, is a natural wetland habitat home to almost 400 migratory bird species from as far away as Europe and Australia,” he said.
He said that members of the Wildlife Conservation Foundation and other notable personalities such as Prince Philip and Prince Charles of the British Royal Family had visited the reserve.
The Jigawa state governor said the reserve has met all standards and criteria to be a potential area for biodiversity conservation, and a National Park, under the National Park Services.
“We are all very pleased that we have finally arrived at the highest point of this process,” he said.
Also speaking, Abbas described the handing-over of the wetland as an important milestone in the FG’s effort to preserve and protect the country’s natural heritage for future generations.
Represented by the Conservation General of the Federation, Dr Ibrahim Goni, Abbas commended the people of the state’s resilience in the handover process.
“This effort is to handover the invaluable asset demonstrates a shared commitment to conservation that transcends political boundaries to safeguard the environment.
“The Hadejia Wetland Game Reserve holds a delicate balance that sustains life and provides crucial ecosystem services.
“It serves as a sanctuary for numerous wildlife species including birds, amphibians and fish. This is safeguarding biodiversity,” he said.
Abbas said the reserve would become an eco-tourism hotspot, attracting visitors from far and near, and providing opportunities to showcase the beauty and cultural diversity of Nigeria’s landscape.
According to him, the federal government is geared to address challenges bedevilling Game Reserve through the implementation of the World Bank-funded Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project.
He said that the project would support the development of five Room Rangers Barracks and the designing of its management system plan.
“We are also actively engaging the office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Army and other security outfits, to enhance the capacity of the Rangers, Forest and Game Guards as well as provision of technology-based patrol equipment to improve internal security,” he said.
The minister said that effective measures had been adopted to promote engagement and protection of the host communities.
NAN
