Desertification: ACReSAL commences planting of 3 million trees in Kano

By Aliyu Inuwa Mansir On Jun 28, 2024

Desertification, ACReSAL, trees, Kano,Dahir M. Hasim — Kano ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Dahir M. Hasim

In a bold and commendable move to combat climate change challenges, the Agro-climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) has launched an initiative aimed at planting 3 million trees across Kano State.

SolaceBase reports that Kano ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Dahiru M. Hashim announced this on Friday at a news conference held in Kano.

Dr. Hashim said ACReSAL plans to plant 3 million trees through various afforestation projects, including the planting of seeds and seedlings, farmer-led natural regeneration, the establishment of individual farmer orchards, the rehabilitation of existing shelter belts, and the creation of new ones.

According to him, these efforts aim to address desertification, promote green businesses, and ensure food security.

“The government of Kano State, under the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has launched an ambitious initiative aimed at planting 3 million trees within the next 365 days. This initiative, known as the 3 Million Tree Planting (3MTP) campaign, underscores the governor’s unwavering commitment to improving environmental conditions and enhancing the quality of life for Kano residents,” Dr. Hashim stated.

He emphasized that this large-scale tree-planting project is crucial for addressing the escalating environmental challenges facing Kano City and its surrounding communities.

‘’The deteriorating air quality, rising carbon emissions, and increasing occurrences of heatwaves, urban flooding, and desertification were identified as key issues that this initiative aims to tackle,’’ Dr. Hasim said.

“Trees are the lifeblood of any community. They provide clean air, regulate temperatures, prevent soil erosion, and beautify our surroundings. This initiative is not just about planting trees; it’s about creating a sustainable, resilient, and vibrant environment for our future generations,” Dr. Hashim added.

“The 3MTP initiative will see 1 million seedlings used for avenue planting and distributed across local communities, educational institutions, and public organizations to ensure widespread participation. This community-based approach aims to empower residents to take ownership of greening their neighbourhoods. Designated distribution centres and coordination with the 44 local governments in Kano State will facilitate the successful implementation of the project.”

“Governor Yusuf’s personal involvement in tree planting campaigns throughout his first year in office demonstrates his dedication to this cause. His active participation has inspired confidence in the ACReSAL project, which is spearheading the 3MTP initiative. The campaign includes planting 5,000 seedlings along 10 major roads in Kano, with ongoing efforts on significant routes such as BUK Road, Hadejia Road, and Airport Road, among others.”

“To ensure the sustainability of the initiative, the government has established multiple locations for raising seedlings for annual distribution. Partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society groups are being forged to drive comprehensive campaigns and mobilize residents. Training sessions will be conducted to equip participants with knowledge on tree planting, monitoring, and evaluation.”

“Furthermore, the Kano State Ministry of Justice is working on sponsoring bills in the State House of Assembly to review and enforce environmental laws, particularly those concerning the indiscriminate cutting down of trees. Strict penalties will be enforced for violations to protect the newly planted trees.”

“One innovative aspect of the 3MTP campaign is the geotagging of each tree, enabling real-time monitoring of their condition and ensuring accountability. This marks the first time the Kano State Government has pledged such an extensive and transparent tree planting campaign.”

“The 3MTP initiative is a call to action for every Kano resident, with partnerships extending to prestigious organizations to ensure broad societal involvement. The goal is for every concerned citizen, civil servant, farmer, teacher, journalist, and student to participate in this campaign for a greener and more resilient Kano.”