By Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman
Kano State Government has unveiled plan to plant 10,000 trees across the 44 local government areas of the state to comply with the world in fighting against the climate change horribly affecting the world.
The state deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who doubles as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, disclosed the development on Saturday at the launch of the 2024 tree planting campaign in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of the state.
He said: “This initiative is a crucial step towards making Kano state greener and free from ecological imbalance.
“Tree planting is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to combat desert encroachment, soil erosion, environmental degradation and other ecological problems.”
According to him, each of the 44 Local Government made provision of 10,000 seedlings of assorted trees for distribution to individual households, government and non-governmental organizations for them to transplant in and around their premises.
The deputy governor has further directed all the Interim Management Committee Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, Councilors of the 44 local government to plant five trees in their respective areas.
He emphasized the crucial of trees in providing oxygen, food, shelter for wildfire, raw materials for industries, and in preventing soil erosion.
“Our environment faces numerous challenges ranging from deforestation, land degradation, climate change, soil erosion and pollution,” he added.
Earlier speaking, the Interim Management Committee Chairman of Tsanyawa LGA, Hon. Kabiru Idris, expressed gratitude to Governor Abba and Deputy Governor Comrade Gwarzo for approving Tsanyawa LGA to launch the tree planting program, a historic initiative aimed at addressing ecological imbalances.
He urged residents of Tsanyawa LGA to view tree planting as an act of charity, noting the rewards promised by Allah Almighty to those who benefit from the trees, even for shade.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Nasiru Sule Garo, stressed the importance of tree planting in mitigating climate change’s adverse effects such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts, thereby enhancing citizen wellness.
He urged everyone to refrain from deforestation and emphasized the importance of replanting each tree removed with a new one.