The Katsina State government has partnered with Mercy Corps, a humanitarian organisation, to launch an innovative initiative aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change in four security-prone local government areas.
The partnership seeks to build resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods in the vulnerable communities of Jibia, Batsari, Safana and Kankara local government areas where climate change has exacerbated insecurity and displacement.
The commissioner of Environment, Musa Adamu however noted some human activities contributing to climate change and other environmental degradation, encouraging the people to desist from cutting down trees but intensify efforts to plant trees in farms and their houses.
Represented by a director in the ministry, Umar Abubakar, the commissioner also warned them to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse and open defecation and to keep their environment clean.
He stressed that the government has roll-up plans to tackle desertification and promote environmental sustainability, adding that tree seedlings would be distributed to various communities across the state.
Earlier, the representative of Mercy Corps, Mr Philip Ikita, explained that desertification and climate change among other environmental factors were responsible for the conflict and insecurity bedevilling the communities and urged them to contribute meaningfully to finding a lasting solution to the menace.
