Baturiya Wetland which is sometimes referred to as Hadejia-Nguru Wetland Game Reserve is an important wildlife conservation site in Nigeria covering an area of about 360 square kilometers and is surrounded by a buffer zone of half kilometer.
The wetland is located within Kirikisima, Anyo and Guri Local Government Areas of Jigawa State. It is taken as part of birds’ area with so much international importance and was upgraded to a state of a natural park and handed over by the Jigawa State to the Federal Government under the supervision of the Nigeria National Parks Service.
“Wetlands are areas of land that are covered with water either temporarily or permanently. They can be ponds, swamps, marshes or estuaries. They are very important ecosystems due to their biological diversity and the environmental services they provide.
Wetlands act as natural filters, purifying water and improving its quality. They are also key habitats for many species of birds, fish and aquatic plants. Additionally, they help to control flooding by acting as natural sponges that absorb and retain water during periods of heavy rainfall. Wetlands are valuable for ecological balance and should be protected.”
The Baturiya wetland with so much aesthetics has a great variety of wildlife resources such as water, fishes, crocodiles, monkeys, baboons, hyenas, snakes and other aquatic animals.
Baturiya wetland is also home to many migratory birds from as far away Australia, Europe, Asia and Latin America including indigenous species of birds. The wetland attracts birds across the globe that the United Nations recognizes Baturiya wetland as a tourist site with International importance.
The Jigawa State Government says that the wetland receives 1500 to 2000 tourists yearly from all over the world. The wetland has been visited by Prince Philip and Prince Charles of the British Royal Family as well as attracting many Europeans who visit to enjoy the serene environment.
In a bid to further comprehend Baturiya wetland, Dr Suleiman Isah Dutse, a lecturer with the Department of Forestry and Wildlife in Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State said Baturiya wetland was a forest reserve but was gazzeted in 1985 as a game reserve.
He stated that birds from other countries fly into the wetland during the winter period and go back when it’s over, explaining that some birds come in with bands on their legs for the purpose of keeping track and identity of the countries they flew in from.
He noted that the major livelihood for the inhabitants around the wetland are aquatic and crop production and are generating revenue and contributing economically to the country. He advised the Government to study and tap into the resources in Baturiya wetland.
Lawan Maina, a resident of Baturiya wetland, disclosed that the inhabitants of the wetland have lived in Baturiya for 350 years. He appealed to the Government to incorporate inhabitants in the conservation and development of Baturiya wetland.
The beautiful game reserve with its natural resources is slowly becoming a shadow of itself. However, in order to protect and conserve Baturiya wetland including all Wetlands in Nigeria, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) constituted members of Committee on the Development of Conservation Plans and Management of Wetlands in Nigeria who converged for the national assignment in Kano from 9th to 11th September, 2024.
The members were representatives of Government Agencies, Environmental Organizations and the Academia.
The Acting Executive Director, NIWRMC, Mrs. Sakinatu Suleiman Abbo Jimeta, during the Committee meeting said the wetlands assessment was an important part of the wetland policy and the overall aim of the assessment is to examine the values that the wetlands provide and its human benefits.
She added that a range of assessment types have been developed, each within its own focus and applicability, ranging from hydrological, biological, functional and integrated assessments to vulnerability assessment.
Mrs Jimeta noted that “the focus of this assessment is on a preliminary scale which helps determine the potentials or threats posed on this particular wetland, Baturiya Hydrology, which is our major concern as it borders on our mandate as a Commission, as well as the biological and soil compositions which highlight features of a wetland.
“These will help guide relevant conservation plans and management to be administered on this wetland. The aim is to use this year for preliminary assessment of Baturiya wetland which would give the basis for threats and potential identification, status determination, gap analysis and other relevant information that would serve as basis for appropriate responses and interventions.”
The Committee raised the communique that recognized the urgent need for concerted efforts to produce a strategic plan to conserve Nigeria’s wetlands which are vital to water resources, biodiversity and climate resilient ecosystems.
After extensive deliberations and visit to Baturiya wetland for physical observation and analysis, the Committee reached a consensus on conserving wetlands in Nigeria to include:
- Strengthening the Institutions and Legal Frameworks: Federal and State Government Agencies charged with the responsibilities of water resources management and development are urged to update and enforce laws that protect wetlands from encroachment and unstainable practices.
- Stakeholders Engagement: The stakeholders should be involved in the design and implementation processes for sustainable use of wetlands resources.
- Collaboration, Coordination and Communication: Members of the Committee are to partner with local, national and international organizations with vested interest in management and development of water and biodiversity resources for technical and financial support to implement wetland conservation projects and also create awareness.
- The need for a Positive Political will: The respective tiers of Government should show a positive political will in resolving matters relating to water resources management and development.
- Wetland Restoration: Restoration projects will be initiated in degraded wetland catchment areas with the Hadejia-Nguru and other wetlands in Nigeria as priority sites.
The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to proffering solutions in protecting Nigeria’s wetlands for the benefit of current and future generations.
Written By
Fatimah Yusuf
Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC),
Abuja.
