Geotalon Sustainability has initiated Nigerian forest carbon offsets project to ensure the high-density vegetation Forest regions of the country are well preserved and afforested to serve as carbon sinks, boost biodiversity and enhance water cycle especially in the Niger Delta region where hydrocarbon exploration and production resulted in high Green Gas Emissions (GHG). However, although the Nigerian forest cover is approximately 7.7% of its land area and extends to 75,707 km2 with diverse forest ecosystems, significant segment of the forests has been salvaged through deforestation (Figure 1) thereby turning rainforest regions into Savannah Land.
Figure 1 Nigerian Vegetation Zones
Figure 2 Nigerian Major Forest Game Reserves aimed for Geotalon Sustainability through Afforestation Initiative to achieve Forest Carbon Offset Goals
The Geotalon sustainability approach is to collaborate with private and government stakeholders to achieve afforestation of both high rainforest regions of Southern Nigeria devested by hydrocarbon exploration, lumbering and Northern Game Reserve national parks deforested by firewood and charcoal collections (Figure 2). Therefore, the approach is to run the afforestation program in two regions: High Rainforest areas or Niger Delta Region and Inland Game Reserves.
