3. EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY; CONTRARY BUT MANDATORY. A CASE STUDY OF THE NIGER DELTA .NIGERIA

Abstract Nigeria boasts of large deposit of crude oil which is the main stay of its economy. The bulk of Nigeria‟s crude oil deposit can be found in the Niger Delta area of the country. The processing of crude oil into... [ view full abstract ]

Abstract
Nigeria boasts of large deposit of crude oil which is the main stay of its economy. The bulk of Nigeria‟s crude
oil deposit can be found in the Niger Delta area of the country. The processing of crude oil into generally
acceptable consumable products is fraught with pollution of various sorts. Incidentally the Niger Delta equally
houses rare species of plants, animals and habitats. The herbal, nutritional and aesthetical potential of many of
these plants, animals and habitats are yet to be tapped. Pollution of land, air and the sea, the origin of which is
from exploitation and processing of crude oil had severely affected plants, animals and habitats which constitute
the larger percentage of the environment of the Niger Delta area. The fact that man depends exclusively on the
environment and indeed on the ecosystem for his survival and sustenance and that diversity in nature adds value
to his life has never been disproved .However appreciation of plants and animals among others have been
secondary to other things. Development was not seen to include protection of plants, animals and habitats. The
various agitations in the Niger Delta had been basically for improved condition of living and a bigger share of
the petroleum fund, none of the agitation had been specific on preservation of plants, animals and habitats in the
pollution prone area of the Niger Delta. This paper assesses oil and gas industry and other related legislations in
Nigeria and their adequacy in the protection of plants, animals and habitats in the pollution prone area of the
Niger Delta and makes a case for better protection of plants , animals and habitats in the Niger Delta area of
Nigeria.