GUSAU – The Great Green Wall (GGW) project, aimed at combating desertification in 11 northern states, has commenced fully in Zamfara State, Mr Mouktar Lugga, Zamfara Commissioner for Environment, has said.
Lugga told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau on Sunday, that the state had overcome its initial problems.
He said that most of the trees withered away while those that managed to survive were either eaten or trampled upon by animals that followed the routes.
NAN learnt that over 75,000 trees were planted in two local government areas of the state, under the GGW.
Lugga said: “We started planting at the end of rainy season last year and our seedlings did not get the full benefit of the rains.
“But now, we have started early and what we are doing is to replant some of our plants that have withered away.
“ What we have now is a more coordinated Greet Green Wall project.’’
The commissioner said the state had chosen four communities along border towns that would benefit from the project,
He added that the state had covered 16 kilometres out of 100 kilometres earmarked for the project.
Lugga said that the role of the state government was to provide logistics and technical know- how to ensure the implementation of the project.
On deforestation, the commissioner said that the state government would also collaborate with the Federal Government to provide clean cook stoves for use by rural women.
“We are going to buy more and distribute them to our women. We cannot tell them to stop cutting trees when we have not provided alternative for them.
“So, we will provide them with alternative to discourage deforestation,’’ he said (NAN)