The Bauchi State Ministry of Housing and Environment has renewed its warning to residents to desist from bush burning as it poses a serious threat to the environment, public health and efforts to combat climate change.

The director of climate change in the ministry, Nasiru Umar, gave the warning in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Bauchi.

He raised concerns about the increasing incidence of bush burning across the state, adding that the practice, commonly associated with some farmers, hunters, and some individuals, has become a major environmental challenge that requires urgent attention.

Mr Umar explained that many farmers still rely on burning vegetation to clear farmlands, while hunters often set bushes ablaze to flush out wild animals.

Mr Umar added that in several instances, fires were accidentally ignited due to careless disposal of cigarette butts or the indiscriminate burning of refuse.

According to Mr Umar, bush burning releases dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, worsening air pollution and contributing significantly to global warming.

He noted that the intense heat from uncontrolled fires destroys vital soil nutrients, kills wildlife, and leads to the loss of trees that naturally help regulate the climate.

“Trees play a crucial role in absorbing polluted air and reducing the effects of climate change. When they are destroyed by fire, the land becomes exposed to excessive heat, resulting in poor soil quality and accelerated environmental degradation.

“Bush burning removes the natural ground cover that protects the soil, making it vulnerable to erosion and reducing its fertility,” Mr Umar said.

This, he noted, also leads to the loss of beneficial organisms essential to sustainable agriculture and human survival.

He disclosed that the ministry has intensified public sensitisation and awareness across communities to discourage the age-long practice.

Mr Umar urged farmers and residents to embrace safer, environmentally friendly alternatives to land clearing and waste disposal, stressing that “collective responsibility is key to protecting the environment for future generations”.

(NAN)