BEVERLY HILLS, May 16, (THEWILL) – JANEFRANCES CHIBUZOR writes on the Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Sanctuary Initiatives, describing the park as home for holiday makers
Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Sanctuary Initiatives has been transformed to serve as a prominent tool for attracting eco-tourists and fun seekers for forestry adventure in a more unique way.
The 20 hectares of land located on the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Aja, Lagos is now a private nature park where thousands of tourists visit to experience nature to the fullest.
However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic also affected the park in the first quarter of 2020.
There is no doubt that the pandemic exacted a heavy toll on many business ventures in the country and the tourism sector. LUFASI is not an exception.
Despite the pandemic, the experience in LUFASI is quite unique, which makes people yearning to visit the place. The most famous of the lot is the Lekki Forest or the Red Iron wood, which releases a great deal of the oxygen that tourists enjoy.
It is on record that before the first wave of the, the most visited site was Lake Moses and Lake Nora because of the pathway which tourists would always want to explore.
There is one interesting thing about Lake Nora, the walkway that leads to the Love Zone where fun seeking couples make propositions to each other and even get engaged.
“It is the relaxation spot of the famous African Spurred Tortoise named Mama T. According to a source, Mama T has lived for more than a century. The park is also home to Terena Palm trees and the wild local palm tree.
What about the African civets stripped black in a white background. The facilities at Lake Nora include a playground for children, a sporting arena and an education centre, all of which have their own distinctive vibes.
There are resident birds at LUFASI, as well as squirrels and other small animals. The park currently has a pangolin retention centre.
LUFASI’s Chief Gardener, Desmond Majekodunmi, revealed that a lot of people visit the facility just to relax and enjoy nature. He said, “We should care for nature. If nature didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have anywhere to relax and we would not have oxygen, water, food and medicine. This is beyond relaxation; it is also taking care of God’s creation. This is why the creator said we should take care of the environment and not destroy it. People come here to have a good time and to get refreshed. The turnout is low today, but it is okay. We do not want the park to be overcrowded. We are happy that there are few people and there is no problem.”
According to him, It is difficult to keep the place running all the time. Unfortunately a lot of people, especially those in the corporate sector, do not seem to understand what the management of the park is doing.
Majekodunmi continued, “We are not getting any sponsorship or support for the green space in Lagos, eventually they will come to the realisation.
“The Secretary-general of the United Nations once said that nature is under attack by humanity and this is suicidal because she always fights back. When some people came to the realisation that he was speaking from a very good position of knowledge, they realised the need to look after nature and they invested in places like LUFASI Park.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the manifestations of the onslaught against the wildlife and the ecosystem. There is also climate change and the possible extinction of some species of fish. The lesson is that we have to change, renew our minds and demonstrate far more reverence for creation than we have shown, as well as understand the part of the scriptures which commands us to take care of the environment.”
The General Manager of LUFASI Park, Mr. Evans Bassey, said the running of the park is capital intensive. Nevertheless, he called on Nigerians to come and breathe in fresh air on the park.
On the available facilities, he noted, “We have the pangolin retention place because pangolins are facing too many threats to their existence. The ecosystem, for example, is dragging the creatures to extinction and we are trying our best to preserve them.”
Bassey added that the park was in good condition, but the COVID-19 pandemic had sent most of the regular patrons away.
One Star Fashion and Arts boss, Joseph Emmanuel, lamented that the park was experiencing a sharp drop in business activities as against the previous year which recorded a boom.
“There is no money. Some people just take a look at the items on sale and leave without buying any. We do not even influence the prices,” he said.
For Naya Bitara, LUFASI Park is a beautiful place to be. “I love the place. It is fun to be here. The environment is good for relaxation and the kids love it. LUFASI is super safe for fun seekers.” She said.
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