The Cross River National Park reputed to be the richest part of Nigeria’s biodiversity remains a veritable destination for wildlife and eco-tourism waiting for tourists to explore.
According to the Conservator of Park, National Park Service, Cross River, Caroline Samuel Olory the park is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the World, and one of oldest forests in Africa adding it is a home to over 2500 plant and animal species.
Olory who spoke at the 14th Seven Wonders of Nigeria webinar at the weekend while making her presentation said ecotourism can reduce the need for poaching and hunting of forest animals for income.
Olory who is the first female conservator in Nigeria and in West Africa stated ecotourism helps to foster respect for local cultures and the environment increasing the awareness of conservation.
Her paper presentation reads:
Ecotourism In Nigeria And Cross River National Park By Caroline Samuel Olory Conservator Of Park, National Park Service, Cross River
Definition of Ecotourism
• Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustains the wellbeing of the local people, and involves interpretation and education {The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)}.
CROSS RIVER NATIONAL PARK-BACKGROUND
• Established with the primary purpose of protecting the remaining tropical rainforest in Nigeria, having already lost over 90% of her original rainforest due to poor land use.
• The Park is located Cross River State, which lies in the extreme southeastern corner of Nigerian border with the Republic of Cameroon.
• It is mostly tropical rainforest vegetation, which thins out progressively, to montane savanna vegetation at the edge of the Obudu Ranch Plateau in Okwangwo area.
• It exists as two non-contiguous Divisions:-the Oban Division which covers about 3000sqKm and is contiguous with Korup National Park in the Republic of Cameroon, and the Okwangwo Division, covering about 1000sqKm and contiguous with Takamanda National Park, also Cameroon.
BACKGROUND CONTD. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
• CRNP is reputed as the richest part of Nigeria’s biodiversity
• The Park is one of the 25 IUCN Biodiversity Hotspots in the World, and one of oldest forests in Africa and a home to over 2500 plant and animal species.
• It is one of the UN recognized Important Bird Areas (IBA).
• The Oban Hills, which is part of CRNP, is a proposed UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.
BACKGROUND-FAUNAL RESOURCES
• Out of the 23 species of primates that are known to occur in Nigeria, more than 18 species occur in the Park, represents 78% of total number recorded in Nigeria, including the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli).
• Other species of conservation interest include the endemic Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee, Drill, Baboon, Preuss’s Red Colobus, Forest Elephant, Forest Buffalo, and other iconic species.
• BUTTERFLIES: About 90% of all Nigerian butterflies and about 33% of all butterflies of continental sub-Saharan Africa are said to be found in Cross River National Park (Larsen, 1995; Obot et. al, 1996).
FLORAL RESOURCES:
•1,568 species of plants have been documented in Oban Division
•The Okwangwo Division the other hand has about 1545 documented plant species from 98 families.
•Two of the plant species (Anceistocladus korupensis and Prunus africana ) have attracted global attention because they are said to have potency for the cure of HIV/AIDS and Prostrate cancer respect ECOTOURISM IN Cross River National Park
•Cross River State, is Nigeria’s ecotourism paradise because of her unique ecological profile
•From the aquatic splendour, viz the marine and the mangrove ecosystems along with the pristine rainforest in the southern part of the State, which runs through the central to the montane and derived savannah in the fringes of the northern part, the State remains a compelling destination for nature enthusiasts.
•The strength of the Park’s ecotourism offering lies in its rich rainforest ecosystem
• Aside being the natural home to some iconic faunal species, the Park is criss-crossed by several water bodies such as the Kwa, Ikpan, Bemi, Cross River and a host of streams with sandy shores
• The water bodies are ideal for boating, swimming and sport fishing.
• The Oban hills provide an opportunity for adventure tourists for mountaineering and other height-related activities
• Other avenues provided for the appreciation of the Park’s unique endowments include: the caves (in Neghe and Erokut), camp sites and natural beaches.
• Nature trails and jeep tracks are available for visitors to enjoy wilderness experience.
• The serene disposition of the emerald rainforest and its natural tranquillity have huge therapeutic benefits to tourists
• Located about 60 km from Calabar, the State capital, is the Erokut Tourist Camp, with simple, but clean lodging facilities, along with catering services, available for the visitors at all times.
• The rich cultural manifestations, such as arts and crafts, cuisines, dances etc of the surrounding local communities add up to the unique ecotourism offerings of the Park
ECOTOURISM AND SAVING THE RAINFOREST
• Ecotourism is a leading way for developing countries to generate revenue by preserving their rainforests
• Ecotourists pay to see a country’s natural beauty, not the destruction caused by short-run exploitation
• Ecotourism can provide local people with economic assistance, by offering employment opportunities as wildlife guides, Park rangers, and service workers in hotels, restaurants, and lodges.
• With ecotourism, income is earned from preserving the ecosystem
• ecotourism can reduce the need for poaching and hunting of forest animals for income. In National Park Service, former poachers are hired as Park rangers since they have intimate knowledge of local animal wildlife and the forest.
BENEFITS OF ECOTOURISM
• Ecotourism helps to foster respect for local cultures and the environment increasing the awareness of conservation
• Local communities can earn extra income from the creation of handcrafts which they can sell to tourists
• Responsible ecotourism could help reduce deforestation and help to protect one in ten of the world’s species
• Ecotourism helps preserve and foster respect for some of the most beautiful environments on earth.
• It encourages travellers to help protect the environment and contribute to local communities on a much deeper level than the tourist just passing through.
• It provides sustainable income for local communities
• It allows for new experiences with the environment
• It helps with research and development
CONCLUSION
Given the array of its natural assets, from the biological to the geo-morphological, such as: the magnificent Obudu mountains and Ranch, rising up to 1,500 meter above sea level, the scenic Oban hills, the lush tropical rainforest, combined with its aquatic splendour, an illuminating cultural environment when taken along with a hospitable people, CRNP remains a veritable destination for different categories of visitors
