Yobe Govt mulls whistle blowing policy against tree poachers

Yobe Government has said that it will adopt whistle-blowing policy with a view to curbing the activities of tree poachers and save the state from the ravaging effects of desert encroachment and environmental degradation.

Deputy Governor and Chairman, Environmental Protection Committee, Malam Abubakar Aliyu, who disclosed this on Thursday, in Damaturu, the state capital while launching a campaign against illegal tree felling and environmental protection, said information on the activities of poachers of trees for wood and charcoal would be handsomely rewarded.

Represented by Alhaji Jibrin Kortomi, the state Commissioner for Environment, Aliyu, also said that the “increased pressures on land for farming, indiscriminate felling of trees and illegal mining have had negative impacts on the environment.

“The committee is committed to taking deliberate measures to combat desertification to reclaim soil fertility and enhance agricultural productivity across the state.’’

He further said that the committee had carried out environmental protection campaigns in all the 17 local government areas of the state.

According to him “the committee has also engaged the 14 emirate councils for effective campaign against illegal tree felling.

“Desert encroachment, land degradation, and siltation of rivers have retarded agricultural activities with negative consequences and
promotion of poverty in the communities.

“We have embarked on massive planting and nurturing of trees to protect the environment against windstorms, improve soil fertility and provide shelter for humans and animals,’’ Aliyu said.

He directed local government councils, traditional and community leaders in the state to encourage their subjects to engage in massive tree planting to save the environment.