As part of activities to commemorate the 2025 Desertification and Drought Day, Kano State Government has reiterated its dedication to combating desert encroachment and promoting climate resilience through massive tree planting and land restoration initiatives.

The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahir M. Hashim, restated the commitment in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday.

Dr. Hashim stated this when he paid a working visit to Yan Bawa in Makoda Local Government Area, which hosts one of the largest shelterbelts in Nigeria.

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According to him, over 75,000 seedlings are currently being nurtured in the area as part of the government’s 2025 Five Million Tree Planting Campaign.

“This effort aligns with the vision of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, to restore degraded lands, empower rural communities, and build climate resilience across our state,” the statement read.

He emphasized that desertification and drought pose serious threats to lives and livelihoods, stressing that the shelterbelt expansion project remains a vital component of the state’s strategy to defend against land degradation.

“Every tree we are planting today is a step towards securing our future economically, ecologically, and socially,” Dr. Hashim stated.

The commissioner called on the public to support the state’s afforestation campaign, noting that restoring the land is key to unlocking its potential for biodiversity and sustainable development.