An alarm has been raised on Bauchi State government’s sanctioned deforestation described as having far-reaching consequences for the environment, biodiversity, and future generations; this is according to the Nigeria Environmental Action Group (NEAG). The group said illegal logging and unauthorized land clearing in Bauchi State require much more attention from the State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
In a press release made available to newsmen, the group’s spokesperson, Mary Adamu Ezekiel, said, “The current unwritten policies, justified under the guise of economic growth and infrastructure development, reveal a troubling disregard for environmental sustainability and the well-being of the communities most affected. According to reports, at least 10 trailers take coal daily from trees fallen in the forests, are loaded and taken out of the state.
Sanctioned deforestation accelerates biodiversity loss, as countless plant and animal species are displaced or driven to extinction. For example, tropical rainforests, which host more than half of the world’s terrestrial species, are being cleared at alarming rates. When governments prioritize profits over preservation, they effectively endorse the destruction of irreplaceable ecosystems.
Other issues bedevilling the state have been accusations of land grabbing by government-sanctioned land grabbers chasing out local herding communities. These have impacted herders and their grazing routes, affecting hundreds of thousands of cattle.
The government of Bauchi must realize that deforestation contributes significantly to climate change. The release of stored carbon in felled trees exacerbates global warming, while the loss of forest cover reduces the planet’s capacity to absorb greenhouse gases. Governments that sanction deforestation are, in effect, accelerating the climate crisis.
Governor Bala Mohammed and the Bauchi State Government have a moral and practical responsibility to balance progress with preservation. Forests are not just a resource to exploit; they are a lifeline for the planet and all its inhabitants. Ezekiel added that it is time to prioritize sustainability over short-term gain, ensuring that development is not synonymous with destruction.
