Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa inaugurated the 4.5 million tree planting exercise on Saturday to preserve the ecosystem and mitigate the effects of climate change in the state.

The exercise is being implemented by the state’s Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) project.

Mr Namadi explained that the annual campaign inaugurated in Dutse is one of his administration’s commitments to reinvigorate and expand ongoing environmental development and protection programmes.

Mr Namadi said the event would be sustained with 4.5 million tree seedlings annually for distribution to citizens and public sensitisation on tree planting and other initiatives on general environmental protection.

“Indeed, this is in line with our policy objectives aimed at promoting environmentally friendly initiatives, supporting environmental resilience and sustainability, contributing to the health of our planet and support the provision of means of sustainable livelihood for most of the people,” Mr Namadi said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling environmental challenges, ranging from devastating perennial floods, degradation of precious lands, deforestation and desertification.

“It is our collective responsibility to fight and win the battle against all forms of environmental degradation.

“Our strategic plans for achieving this include mitigating the consequences of environmental management and sustainable means of livelihood for most of our citizens.

“Other aspects include overall governance of the environmental sector, review of environmental laws and policies and pursuit of strategies to achieve the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s 20  per cent target green cover before 2030, In Sha Allah,” Mr Namadi said.

He further pointed out that planting and nurturing trees is one of the best options for sustaining the environment, including the quality of air humans breathe.

The governor also highlighted that while producing oxygen for all living organisms, trees absorb carbon dioxide, thus ensuring the environment’s symbiotic life between flora and fauna.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Nura Ibrahim, urged residents to actively participate in the exercise and post-planting care to ensure the survival and growth of the planted seedlings.

Mr Ibrahim also urged traditional and religious institutions, communities, NGOs, CBOs and CSOs to embrace tree planting as a regular activity for a sustainable future.

Also, the ACReSAL project coordinator in the state, Yahaya Muhammad, appreciated all stakeholders for their active participation in the exercise.

“As we witness this tree planting today, may the trees serve as living symbols of our shared responsibilities towards environmental protection and sustainable development,” Mr Muhammad prayed.

(NAN)