The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi; has raised alarms over massive tree felling and desertification in the state. Monarch raised the alarms Friday, while paying Sallah greetings to Governor Babagana Zulum at Government House, Maiduguri. According to him, desertification has encroached over a dozen councils of Abadam, Guzamala, Kukawa, Monguno, Kukawa, Mobbar and Nganzai. “Six other councils of Konduga, Bama, Dikwa, Marte, Jere and Magumeri in central Borno senatorial district, have been encroached by desertification,” he said. He attributed desertification that encroaches southwards at 600 metres a year, to massive felling of trees for firewood and timber. He said the firewood merchants and rural dwellers; are causing more harm than good to both environmental degradation and local economy of Borno state. While lamenting on massive tree felling, he said: “They are destroying our fragile flora, including the Savannah Forests in Central and Southern Borno,” noting that their activities should checked to prevent further desertification in the state. He told the Governor that out of 27 councils in the state, over a dozen Local Government Areas have been engulfed by desert. He therefore; urged the Governor to commence the planting of tree seedlings to recover Borno’s two-decade lost vegetation. According to him, the vegetation covers in Abadam, Kukawa, Monguno, Guzamala, Nganzai and Mobbar councils, are reduced to 25 per cent. He said that the 75 per cent loss of vegetation and flora, were consumed by the desert. While responding, Governor Babagana Zulum has directed the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Kaka Shehu Lawan to review the Act or laws on tree felling for firewood and timber in the state.
