The Katsina State Government has deployed 70 forest guards to enhance surveillance and protect forest reserves and stock routes across the state.
The government has also recovered more than 322,591 hectares of forest estates as part of its efforts to curb illegal activities and improve security.
Mr. Khalil Bako, Chairman of the State Taskforce Committee on the Recovery of Forest Reserves and Stock Routes, disclosed this on Thursday in Katsina during an orientation exercise for the newly recruited forest guards.
Bako said several related cases had been forwarded for prosecution, adding that the deployment of the forest guards was aimed at strengthening surveillance and safeguarding forest reserves and stock routes statewide.
He noted that Katsina had become the first state in the federation to replicate the Federal Government’s forest guards initiative, barely four days after the inauguration of 7,000 forest guards nationwide. According to him, the swift action reflects the proactive and decisive leadership of the administration of Gov. Dikko Radda.
Bako explained that the recruitment of the forest guards was carried out in line with the constitutional powers of the governor, as provided under Sections 5(2) and 208 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The forest guards initiative will strengthen the protection of forest reserves against illegal logging, encroachment, and other activities inimical to the environment and security,” he said.
He described the deployment as a significant milestone in the state government’s commitment to environmental protection, sustainable forest management, curbing the activities of illegal chainsaw operators, and enhancing security.
The Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr. Faisal Umar-Kaita, commended Bako for his resilience and dedication. He attributed insecurity in the state to ungoverned spaces within forest reserves, which had become safe havens for criminal elements.
Umar-Kaita stressed that the forest guards would play a critical role in protecting forest areas and ensuring prompt reporting and response to illegal activities.
“The forest guards initiative addresses years of neglect of our forest reserves by ensuring proper monitoring and control,” he said, underscoring the importance of the taskforce as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
Highlights of the event included the unveiling of the Taskforce Committee Secretariat.
