By Nyancho Nwa Nri and Fikayo Owoeye

ONDO STATE (Reuters, Nigeria) – Egbontoluwa marigi surveyed the forest and found the next mahogany tree deep in a tree in Nigeria’s Ebute Ipare Village.

The stumps that dotted the forest in the swamp were around him a sign of the trees once standing tall, but they are rapidly disappearing due to illegal logging.

According to the father-of-two aged 61, “We could chop down 15 trees in one place, but now, if we can see two trees it will be like a blessing,” he said. (Photo essay: https://reut.rs/3zkLV8y)

Nigeria experienced a 1.14million hectare loss in tree coverage between 2001-2021. That’s equivalent to 11% less tree cover than 2000. Global Forest Watch provides information and monitoring forests.

Marigi placed markers on the tree stumps to indicate that he was the owner. These logs were transported by rivers and streams all the way to Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos.

Marigi explained that while we used to have large trees during the times of our forefathers we are now relegated to small trees.

Nigeria’s forests are under threat from the destruction of trees to log, open up land for farming or feed growing energy demands.

At the May 9 COP15 meeting, President Muhammadu Buhari said that Nigeria had created a national forestry fund in order to restore its forests. It may not suffice, as the country is losing its forests more quickly than ever.

Protecting the forest is protecting yourself. Femi Obadu, Director of Forest Management for the Ondo State’s Agriculture Ministry, stated that when we degrade forests, it is destroying humanity.

Marigi understands this well. However, his main priority is making a living.

Marigi, months after clearing the trees and putting them in their place, returns to the forest every month to assemble the logs and attach them to rafts. His collection includes more than 40 logs.

Together with other loggers they were able to pool enough funds to purchase a tugboat for the transport of the rafts along creeks and rivers across Ondo state.

Marigi’s friends and family can shelter themselves from the elements by building temporary shelters from wood on their rafts. They share food and sing local songs that lift spirits.

“We don’t go to bed at night while on the trip. Marigi said that logs are monitored and they ensure tugboat stays attached to the vessel.

To pick up additional loggers or their rafts, the boat will stop at multiple locations. Each raft can contain up to 30 logs and can be carried by a single boat.

Marigi’s trip ends in Lagos at the lagoon where Ondo and other states converge. Here logs are cut at sawmills before being sold to various users.