BUK Don Calls for Planting of Native Trees to Restore Biodiversity in Kano

A lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences at Bayero University Kano (BUK), Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Lawal, has called for increased planting of indigenous trees to protect insects, birds and other wildlife and restore biodiversity in communities.

Lawal made the call during a school tree-planting exercise organised by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) at Mairo Tijjani Girls Science and Technical College, Kano.

He said insects played vital roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems and served as an important source of food for birds and other wildlife.

“There are many species of birds and insects living on trees, but due to human activities and indiscriminate felling of trees, many of them are no longer available in our communities,” he said.

According to him, restoring natural spaces and integrating conservation and environmental awareness into development plans are essential to protecting biodiversity.

“We need to restore our natural spaces and build conservation and environmental awareness into our development plans.

“We need to plant trees that form the foundational basis for life,” Lawal said.

The lecturer stressed the importance of prioritising indigenous tree species, noting that they could help create microclimates that reduce heat while providing benefits to humans, plants and wildlife.

He cautioned that tree-planting programmes should not focus merely on planting any available species, but should take into consideration appropriate native and historically significant trees found in local communities.

Lawal also urged Nigerians to embrace indigenous tree planting, saying increasing human activities had disrupted the natural balance of ecosystems.

The tree-planting exercise was also held at Mukhtar Adnan Day Science College, Kano.

CITAD said the initiative was designed to expand tree planting to public secondary schools across Kano State while promoting the conservation of indigenous trees and the restoration of local biodiversity.

The organisation said the programme would also empower students to become environmental champions and advocates for the protection of native tree species and the creation of a greener, healthier and more sustainable environment.

Speaking during the exercise, Aisha Rabilu Ishaq, Vice Principal (Academics), who represented the Director of Mairo Tijjani Girls Science and Technical College, commended CITAD for introducing the initiative to the school.

She said the programme would help students gain a better understanding of environmental conservation and encourage them to take active roles in protecting their surroundings.

“This initiative will expose our students to the importance of trees, environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

“We appreciate CITAD for bringing this programme to our school because it will encourage the students to develop a culture of tree planting and environmental responsibility,” she said.

Ishaq urged the students to nurture the trees planted and ensure their survival, stressing that the benefits of the exercise would extend beyond the school environment.

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