Desertification: Katsina raises 5 million tree seedlings

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

Katsina State government has raised 5 million tree seedlings in one year for distribution to people as part of measures to prevent desert encroachment in the state.

Gov. Ibrahim Shema stated this yesterday in Mai’adua local government at the launch of the 2014 Tree Planting Campaign.

Shema, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Faskari said the state’s Department of Forestry has already commenced distribution of the seedlings to various NGO’s, clubs, farmers, among others.

He said that government has established 40 hectares of indigenous tree plantation, 300 hectares of industrial plantation and, 140 hectares of woodlot plantations.

Others were 350 hectares of fuel wood plantation and 12 kilometers shelter belt and assisted in the establishment private woodlot plantations across the state.

He said that would assist to prevent desertification, restore the natural environmental, improve soil fertility and reduce the effects of climate change.

Shema, therefore, urged people of the state to continue to complement government’s efforts by planting trees in their environment and to desist from cutting down of trees.

He also urged the local government councils and traditional leaders in the state to continue to assist in preventing indiscriminate felling of trees in their respective areas.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the governor on Forestry, Alhaji Abdulwahab Sani-Store, said that the government has provided motorcycles to forest guards to prevent people from felling of trees.

He said that government also provided 824 roll of fencing wire for the establishment of private woodlot in the state to protect the forest and prevent desert encroachment.