Gov.??Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has directed all local government councils and development areas in the state to allocate 10 hectares?each for tree planting?over the next five year
Al-makura gave the directive?at Nassarawa-Eggon in Nasarawa State while inaugurating the 2012 tree planting campaign in the state on Tuesday.
The governor,?who was represented by his Deputy, Dameshi Luka, said the tree planting initiative would enable the state meet the United Nations’ standard of 25 per cent forest cover by 2017.
He said?his administration had indicated interest in the National Renewable Energy Programme as part of efforts aimed at ensuring the sustenance of the state’s natural resources.
“This government has also expressed interest to participate in?Reducing Emission from the Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) programme of the United Nations.
“It is my hope and expectation that the state will derive maximum benefits from these programmes, as well as access carbon credit opportunities in the near future,” he said.
Al-Makura said the state government was making concerted efforts to establish a zoological garden in Lafia with a view to conserving the wildlife resources in the state.
He said the venture would not only promote tourism consciousness of the people, but would also boost economic activities in the state capital.
The governor urged the people of the state to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees for fuel and timber.
According to the governor, such activities often contributed tremendously to the alarming rate of climate change and global warming.
He, therefore, called on the people of the state to minimise the exploitation of the state’s forest resources
“Everyone must make it an obligation to plant and nurture at least five tree seedlings annually,'' the governor said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2012 tree planting campaign is: “Healthy Soil Sustains Your Life: Let’s Go Land Degradation Neutral.''?(NAN)