Kaduna Identifies 17 Areas With Ecological Challenges – Commissioner

The Kaduna State
Government has said that it had identified 17 areas across its 23 local government areas with ecological challenges.
Alhaji Kasimu Abubakar, the state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna
Abubakar said the Ministry would soon publish the names of the affected areas.
According to him, ecological problems are part of the negative impact of global warning which Kaduna State is not immuned to.
However, he said that the government had concluded plans to tackle the problems to prevent citizens from losing their lives and property, adding that the ministry was working toward clearing blocked water channels.
Abubakar 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.”
Abubakar 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 plan 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.