The Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has initiated a comprehensive review of the state’s decades-old forestry laws, in a decisive move to reinforce environmental protection and boost climate resilience.
The exercise focuses on regulations that have governed forest management in Kano State since 1959, with the aim of modernising them to reflect present-day environmental challenges and sustainability goals.
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The initiative comes at a time of increasing concern over environmental degradation driven by illegal tree felling, unregulated charcoal production, indiscriminate firewood trading, and the widespread use of chainsaws. These activities continue to threaten forest resources across urban, semi-urban, rural, and protected areas of the state.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ workshop, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Muhammad Hashim—represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mustapha Nuraddeen Muhammad—stressed the importance of collective action in achieving sustainable forest governance.
“The review reflects the Ministry’s commitment to preserving environmental gains while securing a sustainable future,” he said, adding that unity and practical solutions are essential to tackling the challenges facing the forestry sector.
In his remarks, the Director of Forestry, Muhammad Auwal, highlighted key achievements under the current administration. He noted that the Ministry has procured operational equipment, distributed patrol motorcycles to forestry officers, and engaged over 150 casual forest guards to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.
He further revealed that 5.5 million tree seedlings were produced and distributed free of charge across the state last year, while plans are underway to produce 10 million seedlings this year to accelerate afforestation and restore degraded lands.
Describing the law review as a significant milestone, Auwal observed that the existing forestry legislation has remained unchanged for over seven decades. He emphasised that updating it will align environmental policies with contemporary realities and future aspirations.
SolaceBase reports that the workshop convened a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), traditional institutions, and academia. It is expected to generate expert contributions toward reforming forestry laws and advancing sustainable forest management in Kano State.
