Youths in Yobe embarks on tree planting campaign

Youths in Yobe embarks on tree planting campaign

Youths in Yobe State has mobilised and embarked on a campaign to create awareness on the effects of deforestation and the need to embark on tree planting as part of efforts to maintain and save the environment from further degradation arising from climatic conditions changes in the Sahara subregion which has led to declining food production, rainfall and increase in temperature in the State.

The youths came together under the aegis of ‘Youth For Nature’ on Friday in Damaturu said the state, has witnessed a drastic reduction in rainfall this year which has affected farming thereby posing as threat to people’s livelihood as the majority of residents who are predominantly farmers can not engage in farming activities due the insufficient rain and excess flood which ravaged the produce.

According to Ibrahim Inusa, a global ambassador for the environment and convener of the rally said the just-concluded global environmental convention that took place in Glasgow has tasked countries to either brace up to climate change or face the consequences.

Inusa said, “The rally is meant to bring to the fore the dangers of tree felling and the declining rainfall in parts of Yobe State and the Sub-Sahara region. As you must have noticed, over the past years, the rains have been reducing causing extreme heat and rising temperature.

These factors have contributed to affect farming activities which is the predominant preoccupation of the residents of the state.

“You will also agree that the use of trees for domestic purposes exposes the environment and the citizenry to health hazards. So we are campaigning to bring these dangers to public domain as well as promote the use of gas in homes. Ibrahim Inusa disclosed.”

Another campaigner, Abubakar Muktar said that over two thousand seedlings have been made available for communities in some selected Local Government Areas prone to flood in Yobe South.

He stated the LGAs to include, Jakusko, Nguru, Postikum, Gashua and Fika.

“Apart from these LGAs, we have also embarked on tree planting in houses and streets within major towns in Yobe State. The idea is that, since the majority of the population resides in these major towns and cities, there is a need to preserve these cities by ensuring trees are planted to provide a green environment.

Also, in Damaturu and Postikum, we have embarked on a house to house tree planting. But the residents have to own the project and not see it as a government thing,” Muktar said.