The Azare community in the Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State has advocated stiff penalties to stem indiscriminate felling of trees in the state.

The Ward Head of Nasara ‘A’ community, Shehu Mu’azu, stated this during a tree planting campaign on Wednesday in Azare.

The tree planting campaign was part of activities to mark the 2024 World Environment Day organised by the Bauchi State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency in collaboration with the United Nations’ Children Fund.

Mr Mu’azu said proactive measures were imperative to ensure effective enforcement of environmental laws, and to prosecute offenders to check indiscriminate felling of trees in the state.

The community leader, who decried the alarming rate of tree felling, said the measure would protect forest resources and enhance environmental sustainability.

He said, “Strict measures are necessary to check the menace of tree felling in the state, it will also encourage reforestation, conserve the environment and mitigate climate change.’’

Mr Garba Adamu, the Ward Head, Nasara ‘B,’ lauded the tree planting in the school, adding that it would protect it against windstorm and land degradation. 

He stated, “The selection of the school for the tree planting is strategic because some parts of the structure building had been destroyed by windstorm.”

He said the community would support the school to ensure monitoring of the plants to maturity.

Also speaking, the Assistant General Manager, Sanitation of the RUWASA, Bala Zailani, said the agency would partner relevant organisations to promote tree planting campaigns in the state.

He said the campaign would check tree felling and encourage best tree planting practices in society. 

On his part, Salish Ali, the Sanitation Officer in charge of Katagum LGA, said the council has mobilised communities to plant trees, especially at the onset of the rainy season.

(NAN)