If you enjoy oha soup’s rich, savory flavor, you may wish to enjoy each bowl since the primary component, the oha leaf, may soon become scarce. The Oha, or Pterocarpus mildbraedii, is in danger of going extinct in Nigeria. The population of oha trees is reportedly declining sharply as a result of overharvesting and uncontrolled logging.
The favorite Igbo meal is made from the fragile leaves of the oha tree, which has been designated as “endangered.” This implies that if immediate action is not taken, the plant may completely vanish. The tree is being cut down for lumber in addition to its culinary use, which is accelerating its decline.
Efforts are being made to safeguard indigenous plants such as oha, which are critical not just to preserving Nigeria’s culinary legacy but also for maintaining ecological equilibrium. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warns that if no action is taken, traditional Nigerian soups such as oha may go extinct.
So, the next time you eat that delicious oha soup, remember that your favorite leafy green is endangered, and it’s time to act!
