From Muhammad Ahmad Saka, in Bauchi
The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad has announced a new initiative to reward farmers who plant trees on their farmlands as part of its green revolution efforts aimed at promoting environmental sustainability.
Governor Bala said this Thursday when he flagged off the 2025 Annual Tree Planting Campaign in Kuletu Village in Dass Local Government Area of the state,
He said the initiative is designed to support the restoration of degraded lands for the benefit of future generations.
He said the importance of collective and shared responsibility in protecting the environment noting hat Bauchi State must take the lead in championing the green revolution.
Governor directed the State Ministry of Housing and Environment to extend the campaign across all 20 local government areas in light of the alarming rate of uncontrolled deforestation at the grassroots level.
He called on traditional institutions, religious leaders and individuals to support the administration’s efforts by advocating for tree planting and ensuring the survival of planted trees.
Governor flagged off the annual tree planting campaign with a call for a mass movement to tackle environmental challenges like desertification, water scarcity, and declining crop yields linked to climate change and poor land use.
He described the campaign as a “renewed pledge to heal the state’s environment, restore land, and safeguard the future of generations yet unborn.”
The Governor lamented the growing environmental challenges facing Bauchi and the wider Sahel region due to deforestation, bush burning, and overgrazing.
He said that the state has prepared millions of seedlings through collaboration with ACReSAL and other partners for distribution to schools, communities, and public institutions.
Governor Bala announced that over a million trees will be planted across all 20 local government areas, including economic and indigenous tree species.
He also highlighted the state’s exploration of Carbon Finance to enable farmers to earn income from GPS-monitored trees, and urged local government chairmen, councillors, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to take ownership of the tree planting effort.
The Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Danlami Ahmed Kawule reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to environmental protection adding that a sufficient number of trained personnel have been mobilized to drive this year’s campaign effectively.
kawule pledged ministry support for the campaign as part of the ministry’s commitment to environmental protection adding that a sufficient number of trained personnel have been mobilized to drive this year’s campaign effectively.
The Emir of Dass Alhaji Usman Bilyamini Usman thanked Governor Bala for his concern and response to the windstorm disaster, viewing the flag-off as a sign of the Governor’s solidarity with Dass’s people. With support from partners like ACReSAL, the campaign aims for success through monitoring to ensure planted trees’ survival.
The State Project Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes ACReSAL, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim, disclosed that about 40,000 hectares of land have already been restored under the project in collaboration with the state government.
Dr. Kabir harped on the importance of monitoring the newly planted trees to ensure the achievement of the campaign’s long-term goals.
