7 August 2007
Lagos — Emir of Yusufari in Yobe State, Alhaji Mohammadu Zakariya, has called for prosecution of those engaged in the destruction of forests through tree felling.
Zakariya made the call when the Commissioner for the Environment, Malam Musa Maina, visited him in his palace.
A statement by the ministry's information officer, Malam Zubairu Mohammed, yesterday in Damaturu, quoted the Emir as saying that the felling of trees for firewood had resulted in desert encroachment, adding that the practice had also resulted in migration of people from the area.
Responding, Maina promised to halt tree felling and improve afforestation projects in the area and appealed to the Emir to encourage tree planting with a promise to provide seedlings to curb desert encroachment.
In a related development, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency said it would prosecute persons caught felling trees illegally.
Director-General of the Agency, Malam Nasiru Shehu, said the measure was to protect the forest resources and halt desert encroachment.
He said although there was a law against tree felling, it was not being well enforced, adding: "we are going to revisit the law and start enforcing it."
"Shehu said a mobile court had beenestablished to try offenders who engagedin indiscriminate felling of trees.
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