05/09/2023
The Mkar Conservation Project
```Why is Important?```
The Mkar mountain is fast losing its ecosystems and biodiversity majorly through Human activities which includes but not limited to, indiscriminate tree felling, adoption of harmful farming practices, overhunting, indiscriminate dumping of plastics and non-biodegradable substances on the mountain, encroachment, bush burning amongst other nefarious practices and traditions.
The loss of species and ecosystems can result in the loss of cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and spiritual connections to nature. Increased vulnerability to natural disasters: Healthy, diverse ecosystems can help protect human communities from natural disasters, such as floods, storms and landslides. Let's not forget that we share the earth with other living things whose habitats and life cycle we are disruption, threatening their survival and existence
This project therefore is part of efforts by the Benue Hike Tourism and Conservation (BHTCF) Foundation through the *Benue Environmental Conservation Initiative (BECI) seeking to preserve our natural spaces.
By achieving a Conservation Status for the mountain, many of the above mentioned practices will cease.
Part of the plans is to make the mountain a research center, reintroduce plants and animal species that are at the verge of actually extinction, make it an animal shelter and sanctuary, a recreation spot and study area.
In the coming days, we will continue working with the relevant stakeholders to make it illegal to dump non-biodegradable substances on the mountain. We will also work to criminalize tree felling, use of certain chemicals during farming on the mountain, poaching and encroachment on the mountain .
Part of the project is also tagging trees on the mountain giving each a unique identity and advocate that they do not be felled.
The project has capacity to generate employment and economic empowerment for the host community.
We are working with various partners who are passionate about the environment, they include, Kasejene Agricultural Enterprise, The Scent Shop, Benue Hike Group
Benue Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Aride Landscapes (ACReSAL), Good Health Environmental Living Foundation, Celebrate, a fitness focused organization, Akwaaba Travels,
Center for commercial Agricultural Revolution( SamAgro Services), Victoria Travels, and Jumifa Bread.
We are open to more partners who have the same objective as us.
But perhaps the most important part of the project is that it is being driven by the host communities, it's a cardinal value of the foundation that communities must take charge and leadership in conversation of their natural spaces, in that way the project becomes more sustainable.
Find on the flyer the next activity for the project
