Nigeria LNG Limited has established a nature park on Bonny Island to preserve the natural environment of its host communities. The site of the Nature Park is the natural habitat of salt water Hippopotamus, now rare in Nigeria, and other interesting flora and fauna prevalent on the Island.
The park was established in recognition of the importance of the flora and fauna, the sacrifices of Bonny people, and their aspiration and commitment to keeping a permanent record of their natural heritage and culture. It is also part of NLNG's contribution to the national and global conservation objective, in line with Rio Agenda 21, the Ramsar Convention and Convention on Biological Diversity.
The park, named Finima Nature Park and measuring approximately 1000 hectares, is for conservation, recreation, and research on the fauna, flora and cultural heritage of Bonny Kingdom. At present, the nature reserve is managed by an NGO, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
The reserve area covers the rain forests and mangrove swamps, as well as an ecologically important area of sandy soil with fresh water ponds and tall timber between the swamps and the beach. This diversity is a good representation of the Niger Delta ecology, which affords a unique opportunity for research and educational activities. Already, the reserve is home to some wildlife species of high conservation value, a variety of mammals, bird species and reptiles such as crocodiles, snakes and alligators.
The company has partnered with community-based organisations such as the Bonny Environmental Consultants' Committee (BECC) and such non-governmental organisations such as Niger Delta Wetlands Centre and Nigerian Conservation Foundation in outreach programs to schools, organisations and settlements within its areas of operations.
