8th May, 2023
By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
The Jigawa state government has banned tree felling for firewood and charcoal to protect forest resources and the environment.
Mr. Lawan Ahmed, Managing Director of the Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA), made the announcement on Monday in Dutse.
He stated that the agency had prohibited tree felling without approval across the state’s 27 local government areas, as mandated by the law.
According to Ahmed, the measure is necessary to prevent loggers from felling trees indiscriminately for fuel wood and charcoal.
“JISEPA is mandated by law to discourage, prevent and stop indiscriminate/illegal felling of trees across the state with a view to safeguarding the environment.
“The Agency observed and received reports of an incessant and indiscriminate feeling of trees for unauthorised and illegal logging, uprooting of trees for fuel and charcoal.
“The menace ravages the state’s existing and fragile trees with potential deforestation on farm yields, livelihood and public health.
“Trees provide a life support system, play a vital role in economic and social lives, carbon sequestration and global climate regulation as well as regulating local air quality and rainfall patterns.
“Deforestation, fragmentation and degradation destroy the biodiversity, now many trees, shrubs, herbs and habitats for some animals species have been depleted, while some are endangered,” he said.
According to him, the consequences of cutting down trees are enormous, ranging from decreased biodiversity and habitat loss to climate change, desertification, loss of water and soil resources, and psychological and social consequences, among other things.
As a result, he urged residents to report the loggers’ activities to the agency, forestry offices, and law enforcement agents.
NAN