From Our Correspondent
Sokoto State government has disclosed plans to plant one million trees in strategic locations, as part of efforts to tackle desertification.
Director of Forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Mustapha Bello disclosed this Wednesday during a sensitisation exercise in commemoration of the 2025 World Desertification and Drought Day in Sokoto.
Underscoring the importance of trees to human lives and environmental conservation, Bello solicited collaborative efforts on tree planting and nursing at all levels.
He cautioned people against the indiscriminate felling of trees for human activities and reiterated the state government’s commitment to safeguard trees, as well as the establishment of more shelter belts across the state.
“The ministry had made arrangements to plant one million trees this season and it is determined to augment schools and institutions tree planting exercises.
“More investments were made to prevent desert encroachment and other climate change activities in partnership with international and national agencies, ” Bello said.
According to him, climate change mitigation strategies were strengthened at all levels in the state to ensure coordination and harmonious activities.
Bello explained that land degradation, drought, desertification and their impact on the environment and human livelihoods had become pressing issues of global environmental concerns that require urgent attention.
The director said land degradation is a cause and consequence of climate change.
In his presentation, Dr Abubakar Gumi from the Department of Plant Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, dwelt on the causes, impact, spread and attention needed to prevent desertification, noting that dangers on environmental degradation are enormous and require collective efforts from individuals, groups and institutions.
He explained that land restoration offers a powerful solution with the potential to limit climate change and achieve sustainable development goals.
According to him, increased awareness, call to action and other collective efforts are desirable to save the environment.
Gumi called on residents to plant trees to combat climate change and refrain from activities that aggravate drought and desertification.
