President Bola Tinubu has approved for implementation a special presidential initiative on climate change mitigation and adaptation which plans to create 24 community forests covering 240 hectares of land in 24 local governments of the country.

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako disclosed this during the commemoration of the International Day of Combatting Sand and Dust Storms (SDS).

He also stated that the Federal Government has also initiated the National Great Green Wall (NGGW) project which is aimed at restoration of degraded lands across the Sahel Region including Northern Nigeria.

The minister noted that by planting trees and improving soil health, the nation is not only combating SDS but also providing livelihoods and fostering community resilience.

“ This project is a testament to our dedication to environmental sustainability and our recognition of the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

“Other Projects such as the ACReSAL have been helpful in ensuring climate resilience in the Semi-Arid Region through its massive tree planting projects in the country,” he said.

Salako noted that even though Nigeria is not a source country for SDS, it is one of the frontline countries whose close proximity to the Sahara makes it vulnerable to SDS activities.

“According to the United Nation, about two billion tons of arid soils move great distances across continents and 1.43 billion tons (71.5 per cent) are generated from the Sahara Desert alone. The Sahara Desert has the largest dust emission of about 69.0 percent recorded in 2012,” he said.

He added that to combat SDS, there is a need for the planting and nurturing of trees that will provide vegetation cover and protect farmlands from the encroachment of desert, especially in the northeastern part of Nigeria.

“The existence of forests across the country is very crucial to the campaign against SDS,” he said.

The minister called on stakeholders in the sector to raise awareness about the impacts of SDS and the importance of sustainable land management.
“Education and community engagement are key to fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. The media will also play a vital role in disseminating important information on the impacts of SDS and proactive measures to mitigate the menace,” the minister said.

The United Nations General Assembly set aside every July 12 as the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) to raise awareness on the catastrophic effects of Sand and Dust Storms as well as, its causes, impacts and preventive measures.