ASSESSING THE RELEVANCE OF RELIGION ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Gombe State is situated in the Savannah region of Nigeria, facing a myriad of environmental problems that are impacting the livelihood of residents through deforestation, climate change, and degradation in terms of waste management, pollution and loss of natural habitat. The environment is a sacred trust, and its protection is a collective responsibility shared by both governmental law and religious doctrine. In Gombe State, there are over 30 forest reserve areas, mostly gazette as a legal instrument in environmental conservation. This study highlights the importance of engaging religious institutions in environmental conservation efforts in Gombe State. By leveraging religious values and teachings, policymakers can develop more effective environmental conservation laws and programmes. Religious perspectives on environmental conservation highlight lessons from both Muslim and Christian traditions. In Islam, the Qur’an and the Hadith emphasise human responsibility as stewards and an obligation through Hifz al-bi’a (environmental conservation), implying protection of the natural world. The Christian perspective emphasises humanity’s responsibility to care for God’s creation: ‘The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it’.1 The methodology is qualitative, incorporating interviews with religious leaders, state officials, analysis of religious texts, and observation of environmental conservation practice within the geographic scope of the study. The findings underscore the potential for interfaith collaboration in addressing environmental challenges, with Islamic and Christian leaders alike emphasising humanity’s stewardship role in protecting the environment. The research questions are: what is the relationship between religious values and environmental conservation practices in Gombe State? How can religious organisations contribute to environmental conservation efforts in Gombe State?