The maiden edition of the 10 kilometres awareness run tagged: “Mangrove Marathon Warri 2022″ is to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
Jerry Chidi, the Managing Director of Mangrove Marathon and Initiator of the project, made this known to newsmen on Saturday in Warri.
According to Chidi, the 10 kilometres aware run would commence from the Musheshe Estate by Airport Road and terminate at the Warri City Stadium.
The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem (or World Mangrove Day), is celebrated annually on July 26.
The day is celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses”.
Chidi said that any Mangrove bearing state could hold the next edition, which according to him, would be held every July 26, same day with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
He said that the event would help to create massive awareness about our environment, particularly the Mangrove Ecosystem, adding that it had been endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The initiator said that the awareness would bring to the limelight the uniqueness of Mangrove Heritage and other Earth’s-Life-Support system and by implication, making case for their protection and conservation.
“The Mangrove Marathon10 Kilometres Awareness Run is to foster Ecological Literacy; create environmental consciousness on a large number of persons; engage youths and promote peace, among others.
“Since marathon is awareness/publicity event and emblematic of good health, which can only be sustained in healthy environment.
“The Mangrove Marathon will create space for environmental awakening with the 10 kilometres stretch of space visible to millions within and outside Warri,” he said.
Chidi said that the concept of environmental education and awareness should be directed toward the masses, letting people know how their actions could impact on the environment.
“Showing people what they can do individually and collectively to protect, nurture and conserve nature, as well as live sustainably and be responsible consumers of resources from the environment,” he said.
The environmentalist said Mangrove is one of the unique gifts of nature.
He said that Nigeria has the largest of it in Africa and fourth in the World with bulk of it laid in the Niger Delta and Lagos State.
According to him, millions of people depend on it for food, shelter, medicine, income and protection for coastal erosion.
He, however, said that the Mangrove Forest had plethora of challenges, ranging from an unprecedented threat from human sources, including but not limited to oil pollution, overexploitation, invasive species and municipal development.
Chidi listed the sponsors of the project to include: Eco Restoration Foundation, Niger Delta Snapshots, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Falcorp Mangrove Park, CDMI, and EnviroNews adding that the event was still open for more sponsorship.