The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it had planted about three million trees in the past five years in its effort to reduce the effects of global warming.

The Commissioner for  Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, disclosed this in Oyingbo, at an event to mark the 2011 Tree Planting Day in Lagos.

The theme of the day organised by the Ministry of Environment is: “A Tree for Life’’.

The government declared the day to sensitise residents on the importance of trees to the environment.

Bello said the government had targeted one million trees for the period but was able to surpass the target through aggressive planting with support from residents.

He said the tree planting initiative was one of the strategies by the government to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation, while availing the citizens the other benefits of trees.

“Trees have been scientifically proven to be very useful in the fight against global warming as they absorb the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and replenish the air with oxygen.

“It is for this reason that the government embarked on aggressive tree planting to tap these benefits and also enhance the aesthetics of the environment,’’ he said.

He urged residents to continue to support the government by planting and nurturing the trees, warning them against unauthorised felling or removal of trees.

According to him, it has become illegal to remove trees.

He advised residents with justifiable reasons for such removals should contact the environment ministry for guide.

In his remarks, Gov. Babatunde Fashola explained that the tree planting initiative with other strategies had helped the state to deal with the flooding of communities during Sunday’s downpour.

He said with the abnormal weather and its attendant disasters across the globe, the reason for the state‘s government advocacy for the greening of the environment had been justified.

“Over the last 72 hours, our state has emerged from the devastating effects of an unprecedented rainfall that lasted not less than 16 hours.

“In other places, we have seen cities submerged and remaining like that for many days after just six hours rains.

“While we may all not be able to determine precisely the role played by trees in limiting the damage and impact of the flood, the truth is that trees help to mitigate flooding,’’ Fashola said.

According to the governor, the trees in combination with other strategies employed clearly ensured prompt drainage of the flood immediately the rain stopped.

He said the government would continue to implement tree planting and conservation programme in various local government areas to help the environment.

Fashola urged residents to continue to help the government in the programme by planting and preserving trees in their communities.

Our correspondent reports that Fashola and other government officials planted trees near the Mainland Hotel, Oyingbo, to mark the day.