Bauchi Gov Launches One-Million Tree Campaign to Combat Environmental Degradation

From Paul Orude Bauchi 

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has officially launched a statewide campaign to plant one million trees as part of a bold initiative to restore the environment and strengthen climate resilience.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Dass Local Government Area on Thursday, the governor described the campaign as a renewed commitment by his administration to heal the land and protect it for future generations.

“This year alone, we are targeting the planting of over one million trees across all 20 local government areas,” he announced. 

“These will include indigenous species like Neem, Acacia, and Amboba, as well as economic and fruit-bearing trees such as mango, guava, cashew, and orange.”

Governor Mohammed said dedicated funding has been approved to expand nursery operations while the Directorate of Forestry is being empowered to lead the effort sustainably. 

He emphasized that the tree planting initiative will not only green the environment but also boost livelihoods.

“These trees will generate income for farmers, enhance food and nutrition security, and create employment opportunities, especially for our youth and women,” he added.

With the theme “Planting Trees for a Better Tomorrow,” the governor called on stakeholders to join the movement to reclaim degraded lands and ensure a secure future for the coming generations.

He expressed deep concern over the escalating environmental threats in the Sahel region, where Bauchi is located, including desertification, water scarcity, and declining agricultural yields.

“Our forests are under siege. Uncontrolled deforestation, illegal logging, bush burning, and overgrazing have left vast areas barren,” he warned. “We are witnessing alarming rates of biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and shrinking water catchments.”

Governor Mohammed called for a collective and urgent response, declaring: “Tree planting must become a mass movement—a people’s revolution to restore land, dignity, and hope.”

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to environmental protection, highlighting achievements such as the distribution of millions of seedlings through partnerships with projects like ACReSAL. 

He added that his government is ensuring tree survival by providing free seedlings, deploying extension workers, strengthening environmental laws, and collaborating with partners to monitor progress.

Also speaking at the event, Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Hon. Danlami Kawule, commended Governor Mohammed’s leadership and vision. 

Kawule revealed that under the current administration, 39,000 hectares of degraded land have been restored through tree planting initiatives.

“In line with your one person, one tree policy, we began counting every tree planted across interventions in agriculture, the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Housing and Environment,” Kawule explained.

 “We eventually converted the data into hectares, and today even the World Bank acknowledges that we have restored 39,000 hectares.”

He noted that Bauchi State now ranks as a leader in tree planting and environmental sustainability in Nigeria, saying: “If compared with the 19 other states and the FCT, Bauchi stands out as number one in greening and tree planting efforts.”

The event marks a major milestone in Bauchi State’s ongoing commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.