Yobe State Government has called on residents to promote reforestation and guard against indiscriminate tree felling and bush burning to protect the environment.

Governor Mai Mala Buni issued the warning at the “Expanded Yobe State Security Council Meeting” on Wednesday in Damaturu.

Mr Buni, who was represented by his Deputy, Idi Gubana, said the government was not impressed with the level of compliance to the law on detrimental activities of some people on the excuse of earning a living.

“Obviously, we cannot put the future of our people in jeopardy by allowing the trend to continue unabated,” he said.

He called on all stakeholders including government agencies, traditional institutions and residents to ensure that vegetation cover was safeguarded against all inimical activities.

“We should also strive to regain our hitherto forested areas by planting and nurturing trees in our environment,” Mr Buni added.

He said successive administrations had made concerted efforts with the aim of creating attitudinal change in the pattern of their lives.

The effort, according to him, included enlightenment on the dangers of indiscriminate felling of trees, bush burning and the need for reforestation among other measures.

He added that apart from natural factors such as desertification, desert encroachment and low level of rainfall, agricultural production was also negatively affected by man-made factors.

Mr Buni, therefore, warned that the government would not condone the nonchalant attitude of some traditional rulers with regards to indiscriminate felling of trees, bush burning and improper selling or allocation of farmlands to the detriment of the state.

“Any district head, village heads or ward head found wanting on this matter may either be seriously punished or even be dismissed from office.

“A high powered monitoring committee under the chairmanship of the deputy governor has been constituted to ensure compliance,” Mr Buni said.

(NAN)