Climate change: Plateau to reactivate law against illegal tree felling

The Plateau government says it will reactivate environmental laws to prosecute persons involved in illegal tree felling in the state.

Usman Idi, commissioner for environment, disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Monday.

He said the reactivated environmental laws will address the illegal of felling trees, especially in remote areas of the state that serve as forest reserves.

According to the commissioner, the decision became necessary in order to fight the adverse effects of climate change, such as deforestation and desertification affecting the state.

He said all the officers attached to the forest reserves have been notified to ensure that they patrol the areas to safeguard them, warning that anyone caught within the reserve areas felling trees would be prosecuted.

Idi added that the state government is working in line with the federal law that has been domesticated in the state as regards tree felling.

He urged the people of the state to report anyone seen felling trees illegally to the ministry, or the nearest divisional forestry office.

Idi also advised residents to adopt alternative sources of energy aside from firewood, noting that indiscriminate tree felling is highly detrimental to the forest and the environment.