Governments at all levels have been challenged to put in place necessary checks against desertification before it becomes a natural disaster.

The former provost, College of Education, Gindir, Mr. Musa Juan, gave the challenge while delivery a paper on 'Reality of desertification as a threat to ecological balance in Nigeria'.

He noted that there had been a lukewarm attitude to the issue and stressed the need for relevant authorities to take a critical look at the issue with a view to curbing it.

The provost observed that since many Nigerians make their livelihood through agriculture and foresting, there was the need for proper education and enlightenment on the dangers of desertification.

He advised government to utilise the position of the traditional institutions to promote planting of trees.

In a remark, the provost of the college, Dr. Dan Azumi, described the issue of desertification as a burning one.