By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – Worried by the on-going destruction of historical trees along the Kaduna Independence Way and near the State House of Assembly,
environmentalists, alongside microbiologists, botanists, and geologists from the African Climate Reporters (ACR), have raised the alarm for intervention.
A recent survey conducted by these groups, with the help of volunteer scientists, revealed that the escalating threat of kidnappings and banditry has driven traditional medicine practitioners (herbalists), away from the forests.
Fearing for their safety, these herbalists are now targeting the trees along major roads, girdling them for medicinal use, leading to significant damage.
ACR’s Head of Communication and Strategies, Ibrahima Yakubu, explained that many of the Mango, Mahogany and other large trees lining the Independence Way bear plaques that indicate the year they were planted and the names of those who planted them.
He said: “These trees are not just part of the landscape; they are living monuments, deeply intertwined with the cultural and historical fabric of the region.
“These trees enhance the beauty of Independence Road, especially during the Durbar festival, which is a symbol of unity in Northern Nigeria.”
He expressed concerns that nearly all the trees along this road have been targeted by local medicine practitioners, necessitating immediate government intervention to prevent further damage.
Yakubu also highlighted the historical significance of these trees, planted by prominent figures when the British mapped out the area around Independence Way as the center of Kaduna’s metropolis. “From Fredrick Lugard Hall to Ranchers Bees and Ahmadu Bello Stadium, these trees are named in honor of distinguished individuals, underscoring the need for their protection.
“The frequent girdling of these trees by traditional medicine practitioners has accelerated the decline of these irreplaceable natural landmarks,” he said.
Yakubu called on the Kaduna State Ministry of Environment to take proactive steps, including deploying personnel to protect the trees and launch a public awareness campaigns about the importance of preserving these historical trees.
He also urged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other environmental NGOs to collaborate in efforts to protect all the trees along the Independence Way and Muhammadu Buhari Way.
“The unchecked exploitation of trees for charcoal, firewood, and timber is turning once-verdant areas into desert landscapes,” Yakubu warned.
He also appealed to the state government to take swift and decisive action to halt this destructive practices and preserve the historical trees that are an integral part of State’s heritage.
One of the local herbalists interviewed while girdling the trees along the Independence Way said, insecurity has become a big threat to their business as they can no longer accessed the forest and get some part of the herbs to prepare local medicines.