Forest Policies & Governance in Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria Presented at Oslo Governance Forum, Norway By Odigha odigha Chairman CRS Forestry Commission 3-5 October. 2011

Nigeria: our forest, our biodiversity Nigeria has unique forests with endemic species found nowhere else on earth One of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world

Cross River State  The “Gulf of Guinea” forests which start east of CR are a global biodiversity hotspot  50% of Nigeria’s remaining forest  over 1100 butterfly species in CR National Park  75% of Nigeria’s endangered tree species

Community forestry in CRS 34,000 hectare of community forest conserved in Ekuri ODA/DFID - the formation of Forest Management Committees

Nevertheless our forests are threatened With over 140 million people We have one of the highest deforestation rates globally due to: illegal logging, fuelwood trade, Harmful Agricultural Practices Biodiversity Loss

How we have responded Stakeholders Summit for the Environment in June 2008 Two year logging moratorium in place Established and supported the anti-logging task force  Engagement in REDD+  community engagement and enhancement of local livelihoods key REDD drivers. Our political Will: CRS:- Bold Reforms & climate change policy

FOREST NURSERY – OBAN Forest nursery, Ranch Resort sub-charge, Obanliku Polcy reform to manage for carbon concession Policy reform to manage for carbon concession

REDD+, the CRS Approach Investigating the PES potential of CRS by Tunde Morakinyo, John Mason and Yadvinder Malhi Participatory legal review of Forest Law – REDD and Climate f riendly. community level stakeholders engagement in the forest areas. Preliminary Scooping studies of forest site for a REDD+ pilot

COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITIES COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FORESTRY COMMISSION

POLITICAL WILL

2008-katoomba: Follow-up Made contact with UN-REDD, WB-FCPF and Governor’s Climate and Forest Task Force (GCF) 2009 Governor of CRS Formal admission into GCF COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Challenges Low REDD/PES awareness at federal, state and site levels Low institutional capacity at all levels No federal or state level REDD carbon framework/legislation Uncertainty around land tenure and carbon rights Low budgets to environment at federal and state levels Significant gaps in sustainable NTFP harvesting and marketing plans Combating major drivers of deforestation

Our strengths Aspirations remain clean and green as a biodiversity hotspot increased level of forest conservation and protection address rural poverty and unemployment by promoting micro- enterprise extend the state forest cover- 5 m seedling annually convert timber dealers and other forest exploiters into forest growers promote rural electrification based on renewable energy remain clean and green as a biodiversity hotspot increased level of forest conservation and protection address rural poverty and unemployment by promoting micro- enterprise extend the state forest cover- 5 m seedling annually convert timber dealers and other forest exploiters into forest growers promote rural electrification based on renewable energy

LAC forest program: FCPF Within 10 years, Cross River State will have 1 million hectares of forest lands managed for climate change friendly activities These will include carbon credits, non-timber forest products, sustainable tree crops and ecotourism This could potentially generate new economic value into the state. Within 10 years, Cross River State will have 1 million hectares of forest lands managed for climate change friendly activities These will include carbon credits, non-timber forest products, sustainable tree crops and ecotourism This could potentially generate new economic value into the state. CROSS RIVER STATE’S VISION

We would like to ask for partnership with you on this journey that we are committed to travelling. You will have all the political support you require to help us achieve our vision for a carbon friendly future. 15 Thank you!!!