By Kayode Falade
To protect forest resources and the environment, the Jigawa State Government has banned tree felling for firewood and charcoal.
This is contained in a statement by the Managing Director, Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA), Mr Lawan Ahmed, on Monday, in Dutse, the state capital.
He said the agency banned tree felling without approval as enshrined in the law establishing it across the 27 local government areas of the state.
Ahmed said the measure was imperative to check indiscriminate felling of trees by loggers for fuel wood and charcoal.
He said, “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 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 life support system, play 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.”
According to Ahmed, the consequences of cutting down trees are enormous, ranging from decreased biodiversity and habitat loss, climate change, desertification, loss of water and soil resources, psychological, social consequences, among others.
He, therefore, urged residents of the state to report activities of the loggers to the agency, forestry offices and law enforcement agents.
