By Farouk Isa
The management of Kano Zoological and Wildlife Management Agency, KAZOWMA, has seek for collaboration with Nigerian Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, to end the menace of indiscriminate felling of trees, animal trafficking, and charcoal production at Falgore Game Reserve.
The Managing Director of KAZOWMA, Hon. Sadiq Kura Mohammed lamented that the continuous indiscriminate felling of trees by illegal loggers and charcoal producers is worrisome and a source of concern to the government as the unlawful practice is threatening the only game reserve in the state.
Speaking during an advocacy visit to NESREA office in Kano, the MD decried the high level of encroachment at the forest, which he described as the only remaining game reserve in the state.
Hon. Sadiq Kura Mohammed said they were at NESREA to strengthen the bonds between the two agencies to tackle the environmental menace.
“First of all, we thank the management of this noble institution for hosting us. We want you to see us as sister agency. A collaboration between KAZOWMA and NESREA will definitely be a fruitful one.
“We are here today concerning tree felling, charcoal production, and trafficking of endangered animal species — the trio menace we are fighting at Falgore Game Reserve. We were at the game reserve a week ago. What we saw is disturbing. So, we urge NESREA to come and partner with us,” the MD solicited.
Responding, the State Coordinator, NESREA, Lukman Muhammad Lawan described felling of trees without authorisation as like killing entire human race, as trees are the source of oxygen, food and medicine.
He added that if the illegal activities are allowed to continue, the fauna and flora in the reserve will go into extinction.
Lawan said the door of NESREA is always open for collaboration with relevant agencies like KAZOWMA, assuring the new leadership of the agency an utmost cooperation and support.
In another development, the Nigerian Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, has designated Kano Zoological Garden as animal “rescue center.”
Handing over the appointment letter to the Managing Director of KAZOWMA, Hon. Sadiq Kura Mohammed, the State Coordinator of NESREA, Alh. Lukman Muhammad Lawan said Kano Zoological Garden is the only zoo in Nigeria that received such high level recognition.
The MD expressed appreciation over the designation and promise to work deligently to uplift the standard of the Zoo for speedy development of the state.
