Land reclamation is important in Nigeria because it plays a key role in the current and future welfare of the environment. Because land reclamation attempts to convert waste land into useful land, it helps to increase land area, establish wildlife habitat, improve the quality-of-life environment, and convert waste land into residential, commercial, and industrial regions.
Land reclamation in Nigeria can be accomplished through several ways such as sand filling and drainage building. The significance of land reclamation in Nigeria will be examined in depth in this essay.
The significance of land reclamation in Nigeria is described further below:
1. Land Reclamation Increases Land Mass
One of the benefits of land reclamation in Nigeria is that it helps to increase land mass. When specific land is recovered, it expands the area available for human habitation. In locations where there is a lot of damaged land, the monetary value of the properties there will be relatively low, lowering the quality of living conditions for the people who live there. Land reclamation helps to restore the quality of such damaged land to its original splendour by raising the monetary value of the properties in the area.
Area reclamation provides additional land for the new development of high-quality residential buildings as well as other industrial and commercial ventures.
2. Helps to Improve Agricultural Activities Thereby Providing Food
Another benefit of land reclamation in Nigeria is that it improves agricultural activity, assuring food security. Agricultural activities such as marsh rice production, for example, are typically encouraged where land has been reclaimed. Rice species grown on reclaimed land are typically salt tolerant.
Fish aquaculture is another agricultural activity that can be carried out on reclaimed ground. These regions are ideal for the development of fishponds. Swampy fields can also be turned into farmlands suitable for crop growth. All of the agricultural operations that take place in these areas contribute to the country’s food security by supplying food for the population.
3. Land Reclamation Creates Habitat for Wildlife
In Nigeria, land is reclaimed to provide habitat for wildlife. Reclaimed property is used for a variety of animal activities. This is another critical role that land reclamation plays in Nigeria.
It is well known that the majority of our woods have been destroyed for numerous reasons, forcing these wild animals to lose their native habitat. These animals are on the verge of extinction due to increased urbanization. Thus, land can be restored to provide a home for these wild creatures. This might be done in the form of a game reserve, where they are cared for and safeguarded.
4. Land Reclamation Promotes Tourism
One of the benefits of land reclamation in Nigeria is that it increases tourism, which generates cash for the government. Reclaimed land is sometimes used for recreational purposes, such as the establishment of national parks that serve as tourism destinations.
These tourist attractions draw visitors from all around the country, as well as foreign visitors. These people spend money when they visit these facilities. The government then uses this money to improve infrastructure in areas where it is inadequate. As a result, land reclamation encourages tourism.
5. Creates Land for Grazing Purposes and Preserves the Fauna
Land reclamation in Nigeria creates land for animal grazing. Ruminant animals such as goats, cows, sheep, and cattle graze on some reclaimed area. As a result, land reclamation can be said to supply food for ruminant animals.
Water is generally saved after land reclamation in some regions after the land has been recovered in soggy areas. Such stored water typically functions as a natural preservation of wildlife, providing food for aquatic animals.
6. Can Be Used to Create Artificial Islands and Industrial Zones
Another benefit of land reclamation in Nigeria is that it can be utilized to build artificial islands where none previously existed. Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, Gracefield Island, Lekki, Lagos, The Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, and Lagos are examples of constructed islands in Nigeria. These places are being developed in order to expand the availability of high-quality residential spaces. They also house a variety of businesses and industries.
Another reclaimed land in Nigeria is the Dangote Refinery, which is located in the Lekki free trade zone in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. These zones make more land available for development. More buildings and infrastructure can be created to support economic development, increase living space availability, and reduce congestion and overpopulation. This is due to the necessity to reclaim existing lands that have been overrun by water as the human population grows.
Because industries and businesses are present in these regions, the establishment of such areas also creates work for Nigerian nationals, lowering the country’s unemployment rate. This is because commerce and other commercial activities are formed in reclaimed lands, and industrialists locate new industries in reclaimed lands.