The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has urged FCT residents to desist from illegal felling of trees. The Director of the Board, Mr. Isa Shuaibu, made the call yesterday in Abuja, when he visited a site in Garki, where some trees were cut down by unidentified persons.
He stressed the need for residents should respect, conserve and stop abusing nature.
Shuiabu warned that henceforth, anyone caught felling trees would be prosecuted.
He said that the fines for felling was categorised according to age and the type of trees.
The director disclosed that the board has purchased equipment that would be used to determine the age of a tree.
“We have reviewed our fines depending on the age of a tree; we have purchased an equipment which we use to determine the age of a tree.
“Our fines depend on how endangered the trees are. If it is rare specie, it costs very much. the fines will range between N100,000 and N250,000.”
The Head of the Conservation Department of the Board, Mrs Jokotola Akoni, said that trees, as part of natural resources, should be protected.
“Trees play a very important role in eco-balancing and very important for mitigating climate change and increase in atmospheric temperature that have lots of adverse effects.”
According to her, felling of trees quickens the rate of desert encroachment, adding: “trees have economical and medicinal values, so they must not be tampered with.’’
Akoni advised that any tree cut down must be replaced by three. (NAN)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
