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| Bauchi Government Concerned About Illegal Tree Felling for Charcoal Production |
The Bauchi State Government has raised alarms over the rampant illegal felling of trees for charcoal production, despite existing prohibitions.
During a state ministerial press briefing on Wednesday, Commissioner for Housing and Environment Danlami Ahmed Kawule expressed concerns that the unchecked cutting of trees without replanting could lead to desertification and environmental degradation in the state.
To address this issue, the government has initiated an environmental reclamation project, ensuring the planting of tree seedlings across Bauchi State.
While presenting a report on his ministry's achievements at the State Secretariat's Conference Hall, Kawule announced that the government plans to distribute 500,000 efficient energy cooking stoves to residents to curb the illegal tree felling for charcoal.
He emphasized that reducing reliance on firewood and charcoal for cooking is crucial to preventing desertification, health hazards, and environmental pollution. The state is supporting residents by producing briquettes and efficient energy cooking stoves.
Kawule highlighted the limited awareness about briquettes as an alternative to firewood and charcoal, noting that this lack of knowledge contributes to ongoing deforestation and associated health risks from smoke emissions.
The commissioner also mentioned that the ministry is conducting sensitization programs to educate residents on the importance of tree planting and maintenance.
Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, State Project Coordinator of Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), added that the intervention aims to minimize charcoal and firewood production for cooking. He noted that 3,000 efficient energy stoves will be launched in a pilot phase to assess their impact over three months.
