Babs Fafunwa Senior Secondary School
P.0 Box 226
Ojodu
Lagos
27th May, 2018.


The Chairman,
Environmental Protection Agency,
Abuja.

Dear Sir,
[b] EFFECTS OF ILLEGAL FELLING OF TREES[/b]
As the agency charged with the responsibility of promoting environmental protection in Nigeria, I would like to draw your attention to the depletion of our forests through illegal felling of trees and the devastating effects it has on our environment, otherwise we will continue to live in very unsafe surroundings which cannot continue to support our lives.
Illegal felling of trees has many effects on our environment with its dire consequences. First and foremost, illegal felling of trees is responsible for the sudden and erratic changes in our weather which in some cases has led to serious drought. Nowadays, there has been change in the rainfall pattern which has made it difficult for our farmers to plan their farming schedules This has made farming risky for farmers as they often plan their crops at the drop of rain only to get stuck midway when the rain suddenly stops. Besides, trees have a great influence on rainfall which illegal felling of these trees destroys.
Similarly, trees conserve soil and prevent soil erosion. The soil surface covered by the leaves and branches of trees is protected from heavy rain which could wash it away Apart from this, the roots of trees have binding effects on soil particles and help in soil aeration and water absorption With the rampant illegal felling of trees, the soil loses its fertility and ability to produce bountiful harvest. Soil erosion results in a rapid decline in the productivity of soil. Thus, illegal felling of trees often leads to low food production
Moreover, illegal felling of trees denies us the productive uses of trees. Trees like 'obeche' and 'iroko' can be sawn into planks and used to produce furniture, canoes, particle boards, fuelwood and paper. With the depletion of these trees illegally, we are denied of their productive uses. We are also denied of the medicinal substances obtainable from trees. The tree roots, barks and leaves are medicinal and with illegal felling of trees, humanity is denied the opportunity to enjoy the medicinal values of trees.
Undoubtedly, illegal felling of trees has done more harm than good to our environment with the depletion of oxygen, destruction of shades and even the depletion of the ozone and it should not be allowed to continue. Your agency has to do something urgent to remedy the situation. First, your agency should encourage afforestation. More trees need to be planted so as to replace those that have been illegally felled. Nigerians should be encouraged to plant trees, at least one in a day. A day should be popularised to be a tree-planting day when Nigerians would be sensitised to set aside as the day they have to plant trees.
Furthermore, Nigerians should be educated on the importance of trees to their environment. They should be told that trees could help to make the climate more comfortable for them and make the environment more habitable.
Lastly, stiffer penalties should be meted out to anybody caught engaging in illegal felling of trees. It this is done, it will serve as deterrent to others.

Yours faithfully,
Signature
Eniafe Esther.