Borno, Yobe move to halt desertification, environmental degradation

Borno and Yobe State governments have commenced the planting of 10 million tree seedlings in each of the states as part of efforts to reduce desertification and environmental degradation.

According to the National Agency of the Great Green Wall (GGW), ten communities in Yobe have been targeted in the local council areas of Damaturu, Geidam, Yusufari, Yunusari, Karasuwa, Nangere and Machina.

GGW Director General, Saleh Abubakar, who disclosed Launching the tree-seedlings campaign in Damaturu, said the yearly tree planting will avert desertification from further spread to other local councils in the state.

Abubakar, represented by the Kano Director of Operations, Aminu Isa, said that the 19 northern states have already been affected by desertification that spreads southward at 600 meters each year.

According to him, the desertification-affected communities comprise Karasuwa, Damaturu, Jakusko, Kallalawa, Magiya, and the Dogona Forest Reserve (DFR). He, therefore, urged the affected communities to nurture tree seedlings to maturity by providing wind brakes across the desert.

Besides, he added that the sustenance of tree planting in the northern part of the state could also halt soil erosion and other environmental degradation in the affected communities.

The Deputy Director of Resource Mobilisation, Habiba Tumsah, warned against communities felling trees and engaging in bush burning, as such illegal activities fuel climate change and environmental degradation.She said that the communities should take ownership of all the trees planted, by nurturing them to become their green shelter belts against desertification and other environmental degradation.

MEANWHILE, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, who flagged off the planting in the Kauwuri community, disclosed that his administration had launched several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

Besides planting trees, he added the carbon reduction initiatives include the procurement of electric vehicles and gas cylinders for distribution to deserving communities.

The governor assured of his administration’s commitment to protecting the degrading environment which, he said could result in drought and other farmers’ risks associated with low annual rainfalls.

Zulum directed the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tijjani Bukar to work with the State House of Assembly to develop measures that will address the flaws in the existing law on the environment.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Emet Kiose, appealed to non-governmental organisations, clubs, associations and the public to collect the assorted tree seedlings from the ministry for planting.