The Borno State House of Assembly, is to review tree felling and bush
burn edit to fight desertification and other environmental
degradation.
The edit, being enforced for over two decades, was ineffective to
check illegal felling of trees and bush burning in the state.
While announcing review Wednesday at launch of 2020 Tree Planting
Campaign (TPLC) at Borno State University (BOSU), Maiduguri, Governor
Babagana Zulum disclosed: “The Borno state tree felling and bush
burning edit, is still enforced but ineffective.”
He said that the state government will review it, with a view of
sending to the House of Assembly for amendment.
According to him, the amendment will forestall indiscriminate tree
felling and bush burning for farming.
“Today’s event as the theme implies; “Trees for Restoration,” is
necessary,” he said.
He added that there is pressure from desertification, deforestation
with poverty and insecurity that destroyed most of the trees in the
state.
Continued; “This occasion demonstrates state government’s commitment
in pursuing the 10-pact agenda.
“One of this administration’s 10-point agenda, entails tree planting
to encourage agro-forestry and environmental restoration.”
“Human activities, including bush burning, illegal tree felling; have
continuously put pressure on fragile eco-system,” noting that they
threaten food security and fuel desert encroachment.
He explained that the geographical location of Borno, which is north
of Equator, is at periphery of Sahara Desert.
He lamented that the state, is among the front line states facing
desertification challenge in Nigeria.
According to him, desertification in northern part of Borno, moves
southwards at 600 meters annually.
On halting desertification, Zulum said: “We’re seriously concerned and
committed in reversing the environment degradation, so as to prevent
people from massive tree felling and bush burning,” he said.
He added that government aims at sensitizing communities on
three-phased problems of deforestation, desertification, degradation
and their impacts on human and animal lives.
He said the general public are also to contribute as individuals and
groups in all communities affected by desertification.
“This is to reduce and modify behaviours, exploitation and negative
attitudes to our fragile environment,” he noted, stating that
government has already commenced raising of seedlings to reclaim one
kilometre of desert each year.
According to him, the reclamation programme is being handled by
Ministry of Environment.
He said state government will henceforth, make it a policy all
construction works should be accompanied by planting of trees to
cushion environmental impacts.
