An ecologist, Richard Inyamkume, has advised stakeholders in the agriculture sector to address the issue of bush and waste burning, because of it adverse effect on the soil fertility.
Inyamkume, the Senior Programme Officer, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Initiative, (CCMAI) gave the advice in an interview with newsmen on Thursday.
According to him, such practice destroys soil fertility and causes harm to agriculture development.
“Bush and waste burning have negative impacts on ecosystems, particularly soil, air quality and the environment.
“The habit of setting bushes and wastes ablaze have negative implications.
“Apart from causing harm to agriculture, bush and waste burning also cause the destruction of physical and chemical properties of the soil,’’ Inyamkume said.
According to him, when the fire is set on the bush, the soil moisture is seriously affected.
“It also exposes the soil to erosion, thus when the rains start dropping, erosion becomes a threat and a major concern.
“This is so because the soil becomes less stable when exposed as a result of the burning.’’
The ecologist explained that air pollutants were released into the atmosphere through burning.
This, he added, may further reduce visibility, thereby causing road and air accidents.
“Various pollutants that are emitted from bush burning could be toxic to the human respiratory system and increase disease burdens.
Inyamkume underscored the need for Nigeria to adopt contemporary waste recycling methods as it is being done in developed countries.
“Our advocacy aims at enlightening citizens about the reuse of plastic bags, setting up of composite pit latrine in homes and public spaces for the collection of biodegradables,’’ he said.
The ecologist added that it was also important that we patronise products that are made from recycled materials, so as to stem indiscriminate waste burning.
