The Katsina government has deployed 70 forest guards to enhance surveillance and protect forest reserves and stock routes in the state.

It also recovered more than 322,591 hectares of forest estates.

Khalil Bako, chairman of the State Taskforce Committee on Recovery of Forest Reserves and Stock Routes, said this at an orientation exercise for the newly recruited forest guards on Thursday in Katsina.

Mr Bako said that a number of related cases had been forwarded for prosecution.

He said the deployment of forest guards aimed to strengthen surveillance and protection of forest reserves and stock routes across the state.

The chairman said Katsina has become the first state in the federation to replicate the federal government’s initiative barely four days after the inauguration of 7,000 forest guards nationwide.

According to Mr Bako, the swift action reflects the proactive and decisive leadership of the Governor Dikko Radda administration.

Mr Bako said the recruitment of the guards was in line with the governor’s constitutional powers, as provided under Sections 5(2) and 208 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The forest guards initiative will strengthen the protection of forest reserves against illegal logging, encroachment, and other activities inimical to the environment and security,” he said.

Mr Bako described the event as a significant milestone in the state government’s commitment to environmental protection, sustainable forest management, curbing illegal chainsaw operations, and enhancing security.

Faisal Umar-Kaita, commissioner for lands and physical planning, commended Mr Bako for his resilience and dedication.

He attributed insecurity in the state to ungoverned spaces within forest reserves, which became safe havens for criminal elements.

Mr Umar-Kaita stressed that the forest guards would play a critical role in protecting forest areas and ensuring prompt reporting and response to any illegal activities.

“The forest guards’ initiative addresses years of neglect of our forest reserves by ensuring proper monitoring and control,” he said.

The commissioner underscored the importance of the task force in forest recovery as part of a broader measure to tackle insecurity in the state.

Highlights of the event featured the unveiling of the Taskforce Committee Secretariat.

(NAN)