Kaduna government is to plant 500,000 tree seedlings to combat desert encroachmentnt says it has concluded plans to plant 500,000 tree seedlings as part of efforts to protect its forests and prevent desert encroachment in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abubakar Abbas, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna. Abbas said the seedlings would be distributed to the 23 local government areas and schools after the launch of this year’s state-wide tree planting campaign.
The commissioner said the trees would be planted following experts’ advice to halt desert encroachment.
According to him, the state is prone to desert encroachment due to intense human activities which have depleted its forests.
“The recent demands for firewood and charcoal due to the high cost of kerosene and gas have also affected soil fertility.
“It has contributed to the problems of land degradation, soil erosion and drought that endanger livestock population.’’
Abbas further said that desert encroachment and climate change had increased the rate of deforestation in the country.
He advised the people in the northern part of the country to plant trees at all times due to their importance to healthy living and national economy.
He warned against unnecessary tree felling, adding that the defaulters would be prosecuted. (NAN)
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