The Kaduna State Government, on Wednesday said it was making efforts to protect its 68 forest reserves against depletion.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Kasimu Abbas disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna.
He said that the forest reserves were spread across the 23 local government areas, with the major ones located in Nambia, Afaka and Ribako forests.
Abbas said, “People plant trees to replace those cut down from the forest reserves for purposes of firewood and timber to make furniture and poles for electricity.
“Apart from the life trees gives, it is useful in sinking carbon dioxide which is a major contributor to greenhouse gases and replenishing the air with oxygen.
“We are doing our best to keep the forest highly protected and safe from all manner of illegal activities; we also know that forest gives out oxygen.
“Trees and other plant play unique role in making the environment conducive for human habitation, I therefore want to urge everyone to plant and protect trees.
“We use traditional rulers, religious leaders and voluntary organisations to sensitise people not to indulge in illegal activities of tree felling.”
The commissioner noted that both human and tree needs each other for survival.
Abbas disclosed further that the state had established foresty offices in all the local governments and also engaged the services of forest officers, rangers and guards.
He said the ministry had made provisions in the 2014 budget for the recruitment of forest rangers to further to protect the reserves.
The commissioner, therefore, solicited the cooperation of the public to safegurad the forests from depletion.
Abbas said that Gov. Mukhtar Yero’s administration was determined to reduce carbon and other pollutants from the environment. NAN
