Government shuts forests to tackle illegal tree-felling, others
Kwara State Government has directed the temporary closure of all forests in the state with immediate effect.
This directive, according to a statement by the Press Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Shakirat Muritala, on Monday, followed a top management meeting of the Ministry of Environment, chaired by the Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge.
The statement noted that with the closure, charcoal manufacturers, sawmillers and others are banned from entering forests in the state to cut trees for the manufacturing of charcoal and other businesses.
The commissioner explained that the temporary closure is a necessary step to monitor and ensure the natural regeneration of the forest, which has suffered numerous human interference.
“Apart from illegal tree-felling for charcoal production, the sawmillers also distort the ecosystem by cutting various kinds of trees without any regard for the regeneration process or implementation of laid down procedures for reforestation.
“The Forestry Directorate will invite various stakeholders for various levels of engagements to restore normalcy and ensure our forests are not depleted without regard for its attendant implications on the overall climate of our state,” according to the commissioner.
Buge implored members of the public who deal in forestry-related products to “continue to cooperate with the ministry and entrench compliance with laws of the state and restrictions during the period of closure.”
She said contravention of the directive would be penalised in accordance with the law of the state.
