Plant More Trees To Halt Deforestation, Catholic Priest Tells Nigerians

A priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Michael Nwatu, has urged Nigerians to plant more trees and stop indiscriminate tree felling and deforestation to protect the environment.

Nwatu made the call yesterday during his homily at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Kaduna. He stressed the need for individuals and communities to take greater responsibility for preserving the environment.
The priest expressed concern over the continued destruction of trees and forests, warning that deforestation was contributing to environmental degradation and aggravating the effects of climate change.

He called for increased tree planting as part of efforts to combat desertification, particularly in areas affected by increasing loss of vegetation.

Nwatu said environmental protection should not be left to government alone, noting that individuals, religious organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders have important roles to play.

The priest asked Nigerians to desist from indiscriminate tree felling, noting that trees play a vital role in maintaining environmental balance and protecting communities from some environmental hazards.
He also advised communities to protect existing trees while planting new ones, stressing that nurturing newly planted trees to maturity was as important as the planting itself.

The cleric called on parents and community leaders to educate children and young people on the importance of trees and environmental conservation, saying early awareness would encourage responsible attitudes towards nature.

He further warned that the continued destruction of vegetation could have serious consequences for communities, including rising temperatures, soil degradation, desertification and loss of natural habitats.
Nwatu advocated collective efforts to restore degraded areas and create greener communities, urging residents to regard environmental protection as a shared responsibility.

He said individuals could contribute to reducing environmental degradation through simple actions, including planting and nurturing trees, protecting existing vegetation and discouraging indiscriminate felling.

Nwatu urged Nigerians to move beyond expressing concern over environmental challenges and take practical steps to protect nature, saying increased tree planting would help combat desertification and preserve the environment for future generations.