From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Development Management Agency, in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, Youth Support Against Deforestation and Environmental Degradation (Y-SADEP), has distributed 24,000 tree seedlings free of charge to residents as part of efforts to combat erosion and desertification.
Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Mustapha Shehu, said the initiative was informed by growing concerns over desert encroachment in the state.
He explained that tree planting had direct impacts on human health, disease control, and environmental protection.
“This initiative is a welcome development towards addressing the problem of desertification and other environmental challenges,” he said, urging residents to plant and nurture the seedlings for the protection of the environment.
On his part, the coordinator of Y-SADEP, Salisu Mohammed, said the campaign was part of the NGO’s annual contribution to the fight against deforestation and erosion.
“As part of the campaign, we want to champion what we call ‘One Man, One Tree’ under our tactical fight against deforestation,” he said, projecting that by 2031, the organisation would have distributed about 1.4 million seedlings.
Mohammed, however, decried the rampant cutting of trees in the state, lamenting that Katsina had become a hub for charcoal production and sales. He called on the government to intensify action against those engaging in the practice.
Our correspondent reports that the seedlings were distributed to individuals, organisations, and government bodies.
