Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola has advocated introduction of plants and gardens in urban setting by professionals not just to enhance the beauty of the environment, but also to promote the psychological and mental wellbeing of urban dwellers.
Senator Adeola said studies have shown that nature has a very positive impact on human health and even more so on emotional and psychological healthfulness.
He explained that trees, grass, and flower gardens, due to their presence as well as visibility, increase people’s life’s satisfaction by reducing fatigue, irritation and restoring a sense of calm, adding that vegetation in an urban setting produced more mental restoration as opposed to areas without vegetation, according to scientific findings.
The federal lawmaker who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, argued the case for plants, vegetation and greenery in urban setting on Tuesday, November 21 during the 16th National Conference and Annual General meeting of the National Institute of Landscape Horticulturists, Ogun State chapter which was held in Abeokuta, the state capital.
He noted that horticulture is a practical and applied science, and have a significance in people’s everyday lives, even as he reminded the meeting that the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, starting from 30 November and ending on 12 December 2023, in Dubai; identified putting nature, people, lives, and livelihoods at the heart of the climate action as part of the conference’s focal issues to buttress the importance attached to natural scenes in urban setting.
Adeola who envisaged that the institute may require legislative approval to function effectively in future and rid the horticulture practice of quacks, promised to render assistance when the body reached that stage.
The senator was represented at the occasion by Professor Tope Popoola and supported it with the sum of N500, 000k.
He appealed to the Institute and members to cooperate with the current government and her agencies to fight the menace of environmental pollution.
Adeola said, “Horticulture by itself is a practical and applied science, which means it can have a significance in our everyday lives. Studies over the years, have shown that nature has a very positive impact over human health and even more so in an emotional and psychological sense.
“Trees, grass, and flower gardens, due to their presence as well as visibility, increase people’s life’s satisfaction by reducing fatigue, irritation and restoring a sense of calm. In fact a scientist tested the restorative value of natural scenes in urban settings and discovered that vegetation in an urban setting produced more mental restoration as opposed to areas without vegetation.
“In addition, areas with only nature did not have as much of a positive psychological impact as did the combination of urban areas and nature. One of the obvious health benefits of gardening and environmental beautification is the increased intake of fruits and vegetables.
“The act of gardening itself, is also a major health benefit. Gardening is a low-impact exercise, which when added into daily activities, can help reduce weight, lower stress, and improve overall health.
“A recent study showed a reduced body mass index and lower weight in community gardeners compared with their non-gardening counterparts.The study showed men who gardened had a body mass index 2.36 lower and were 62% less likely to be overweight than their neighbours, while women were 46% less likely to be overweight with a body mass index 1.88 lower than their neighbours. We all know the dangers of not keeping a normal or near normal BMI (Obesity, Diabetics, High blood pressure etc.
“Access to urban gardens can improve health through nutritious, edible plantings, In order to understand and thereby maximize the benefits of urban horticulture, it is essential to document the effects of horticultural activities and quantify the benefits so that governments and private industries can make the appropriate changes where and when necessary.
“I am aware that Horticulturists have always been involved in the botanical and physical aspects of horticulture but an involvement in its social and emotional factors would be highly beneficial to communities, This I want to challenge your Institute to encourage.
“I also want to encourage your institute to encourage skill acquisition in the various aspects of Horticulture including arboriculture, pomology, Floriculture etc. This will develop real professionalism and separate the quacks from the trained landscape horticulturist. It is indeed a thing of joy that your Institute is coming up at this time.
“In the 1970s International Society for Horticultural Science of the USA recognized this need for research on the functional use of plants in urban setting along with the need of improved communication between scientists who utilize plants for recreational purposes.
“Consequently, the Commission for Urban Horticulture was established in 1982 which deals with plants grown in urban areas and are of tremendous health benefits to urban dwellers. I have a strong feeling that in the nearest future, for your institute to perform effectively and efficiently, a Legislative approval may be required. When you get to that stage, whatever assistance we need to give to the institute we shall give.
“In the meantime, I plead that you cooperate with government and her agencies in fighting with the menace of environmental pollution.”
