Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Fri directed immediate planting of 500,000 trees inwards 78 locations to protect the environs as well as promote salubrious living.
Ambode, represented past times his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, gave the directive inwards Lagos at the 2017 Tree Planting Campaign organised past times the Lagos State Parks as well as Gardens Agency.
The crusade had the theme: “Think Green, Plant Trees, Live Green’’.
The governor said that 6.8 1000000 trees had been planted since the dry ground authorities started the crusade inwards 2007.
“To grade this year’s Tree Planting Day, nosotros are adding to a greater extent than or less other 500,000 trees, which volition endure planted across the state.
“We must think that trees are essential to human existence, equally they render food, shelter, remedy for all sick wellness as well as source of energy,’’ he said.
Ambode added that trees helped to command storm, noise pollution, H2O runoffs as well as desert encroachment.
“If nosotros must proceed to alive inwards expert health, planting of trees volition endure a strategy that must endure embraced past times all.
“This is because planting of trees is 1 of the cheapest as well as easiest ways to save woman nurture populace as well as fighting the ravaging effect of climate change.
“I urge residents as well as organisations to back upward this crusade as well as thus that, together, nosotros tin mitigate the effects of climate alter as well as brand our cities as well as communities healthier,’’ he said.
Ambode said that 570 newly trained youths had been empowered to jump-start the greening programme at the 57 council areas of the state.
He urged somebody developers to desist from massive deforestation for housing.
Earlier, Dr Samuel Adejare, the dry ground Commissioner for the Environment, said that Lagos lost its bio-diversity to developmental activities as well as urbanisation.
Adejare said that wetland woods reserves had depreciated due to growing population as well as metropolis expansion, piece felling of trees as well as devastation of the ecosystem thrived for socioeconomic reasons.
“The continued exploitation as well as devastation of our natural resources bring left us amongst dire consequences such equally global warming, sea as well as sea degree rising as well as extinction of exotic flora as well as fauna.
“This is why the dry ground authorities is calling on all to comprehend tree planting, peculiarly during landmark events such equally birthdays, burial as well as naming, ” he said. (NAN)