Seedlings
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Bauchi, July 20, 2018 (NAN) Bauchi State Government has distributed 54, 400 tree seedlings free to individuals and organisations for planting as part of effort to check deforestation.
The state Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, disclosed this on Friday during the tree planting campaign at Rochas Foundation College in Bauchi.
According to him, when the administration came on board it focused its attention on solving environmental challenges through different measures.
“The administration purchased 54,400 tree seedlings out of which 52,500 are date palm while 1,900 are Tenara oil palm distributed freely to the people.
“The administration equally purchased plant nursery input for raising the seedlings for this year’s planting season.
‘These seedlings are available for planting at Azare, Darazo, and Bauchi central for the three senatorial districts respectively,” he said
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Audu Katagum said the reason behind giving the seedlings free was aimed at combating deforestation, global warming and to curtail the threat posed by desert encroachment.
He advised individuals to embrace tree planting, which he said would go along way in maintaining bio-diversity and ecological balance.
He noted that “tree planting purifies the environment and helps in reducing carbon dioxide level.
Abubakar said tree planting campaign is one of the measures in controlling windstorm disaster, providing shelter belts, conducive environment and wind breakers.
The Governor warned against indiscriminate feeling of trees as well as overgrazing and bush burning.
He call on individuals, institutions, NGOs and the general public to emulate Rochas Foundation School by planting trees to complement government effort in preserving the natural environment.
Earlier in his remarks, the Principal of the College, Mrs Johnson Mafai the decision to embark on tree planting in the school was borne out of efforts to check windstorm.
“We found it necessary to embark on tree planting campaign to protect the shelter and the environment following the windstorm disaster which affected the college last month,” she said
She commended the state government for providing the enabling environment for the school to operate (NAN)
MAK/MTM
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Edited by Tukur Muntari.