Gombe Inaugurates Committee To Restore Cattle Routes, Forest Reserves

Governor Inuwa Yahaya has inaugurated a committee on cattle routes, grazing, game and forest reserves in Gombe State, for the purpose of restoring and protecting them.

Speaking during the inauguration of the committee in Gombe, Governor Yahaya said the move became necessary because of the encroachment on the cattle routes, as well as the distortion of centuries-old nomadic migration paths, which had been responsible for the herders/farmers conflicts.

Governor Yahaya said the reserves were equally being affected by this development, which was either encroached on or not properly gazetted.

He said the inauguration demonstrated his administration’s commitment to the restoration of the environment to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“For many years, cattle routes, grazing, game and forest reserves have long been part of our cherished natural endowment, they contribute to our biodiversity and rich agricultural heritage. However, the encroachment upon these lands has posed serious threats to their existence, threatening ecological balance and the livelihoods of both farmers and herders,” Governor Yahaya said.

He emphasized that it was in recognition of the important role played by the environment in sustaining and fostering peace and security in Gombe communities, as well as the relations between insecurity and environmental degradation and climate change, that his administration decided to begin the process of restoring the reserves.

Read: Ondo State Government to combat encroachment of forest reserves

He said security issues in Northern Nigeria, for instance, would first be addressed at their roots, which are tied to environmental degradation, fuelled by climate change and lack of compliance with extant rules and regulations across all divides.

“In northern Nigeria today, deforestation and encroaching desertification are driving nomadic communities inwards, thus bringing them into conflict with farming communities, and jeopardizing centuries of inter-communal harmony and stability,” said Governor Yahaya.

He said it was the collective duty of all to act decisively and ensure the restoration and protection of our grazing, forest and game reserves, because of the peril of climate change and its attendant consequences.

The Gombe State Governor, therefore, said the committee was needed to reverse the ugly trend, restore ecological balance and promote environmental and livelihood sustainability.

Terms of reference

The committee which has Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zubairu Mu’azu Halilu as Chairman, will determine the number of locations of gazetted game/grazing/forest reserves in the State, trace cattle routes that were blocked leading to perennial and incessant clashes between nomadic herdsmen and farmers in the State, determine how many gazetted game/grazing/forest reserves have been officially de-gazetted, as well as determine whether any or which of the gazette game/grazing/forest reserves have been encroached upon.

Other terms of reference by the committee are to determine how many cattle routes have been encroached upon and recommend appropriate sanctions against the person or authority that allowed such encroachment.

Governor Yahaya read out the terms of reference of the committee to include:

• Recommend appropriate disciplinary action against any person or authority that failed, refused, or neglected to safeguard the gazette game/grazing/forest reserves and cattle routes from encroachment;

• Recommend the time within which the encroacher shall vacate the occupied gazette game/grazing/forest reserves or cattle routes;

• Recommend ways and means to reclaim cattle routes, or alternatively recommend new routes; and Make any other recommendation relevant to the general mandate of the Committee,” Governor Yahaya listed.

He called on the committee members to carry out the task with unwavering commitment, open minds, and hearts attuned to the voices of the communities, as well as engage stakeholders, listen to their concerns, and collaborate with relevant agencies to foster a harmonious coexistence between conservation and development.

The Gombe State Governor said the recommendations made by the committee would form the basis of his administration’s action plan to protect the reserves from further encroachment and restore their natural vitality.

He said this would foster sustainable peace and prosperity for the people, through the combined efforts to preserve biodiversity, foster sustainable grazing and agricultural practices, improve rural livelihoods, and safeguard the environment.

The 28-man committee has Rabiu Abubakar, as its Secretary.

 

 

 

Emmanuel Ukoh