By ibrahima yakubu
Environmentalists in Kaduna, along with teams of microbiologists, botanists, and geologists from African Climate Reporters (ACR), are sounding the alarm over the on-going destruction of historical trees along Kaduna Independence Road and near the State House of Assembly.
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 away from forests.
Fearing for their safety, these herbalists are now targeting the trees along major roads, cutting them for medicinal use, which has led to significant damage.
Ibrahima Yakubu, Head of Communication and Strategies for ACR, explained that many of the Mango, Mahogany, and other large trees lining Kaduna Independence Road bear plaques that indicate the year they were planted and the names of those who planted them.
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,” Yakubu noted.
“However, nearly all the trees along this road have been targeted by local herbalists, 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 Road 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 removal of parts of these trees by herbalists has accelerated the decline of these irreplaceable natural landmarks.
Yakubu called for the Kaduna State Ministry of Environment to take proactive steps, including deploying personnel to protect the trees and launching ongoing public awareness campaigns about the importance of preserving these historical trees.
He also urged civil society organizations and other environmental NGOs to collaborate in efforts to protect all the trees along Kaduna Independence Road and Muhammadu Buhari Road.
The unchecked exploitation of trees for charcoal, firewood, and timber is turning once-verdant areas into desert landscapes, Yakubu warned.
In his closing remarks, Yakubu appealed to the state government to take swift and decisive action to halt these destructive practices and preserve the historical trees that are an integral part of Kaduna’s heritage.
One of the local herbalist when Interview cutting some part of a Trees alone independence way kaduna Says, insecurity has become a big threat to their business, as they cannot enter forest and get some part of the herbs to prepare local medicine
