The Centre for Water and Environment Development (CWED) has planted no fewer than 2,000 tree seedlings in three communities in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, North west Nigeria, to promote environmental conservation and combat land degradation.
The initiative, tagged “CWED Green Project 2026: Plant a Tree, Protect the Future,” was carried out in Hayin Dogo, Hayin Danyaro and Bomo communities.
The project aims to raise awareness of tree planting, promote environmental stewardship and encourage community participation in addressing climate change, deforestation and soil erosion.
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Speaking during the exercise, CWED Programme Officer, Lydia Saleh, described the green project as an annual community-based environmental campaign.
She said the initiative was designed to educate residents on the environmental, social and economic benefits of planting and protecting trees.
According to Saleh, tree planting remains a practical strategy for reducing deforestation, mitigating climate change, preventing soil erosion and restoring degraded land.
She noted that the beneficiary communities were already experiencing severe gully erosion, which threatens homes and livelihoods, and urged residents to nurture the planted trees and sustain environmental protection efforts beyond the campaign.
Collective Responsibility
Also speaking, a member of the Board of Trustees of CWED, Dr Lemuel Musa, said environmental conservation requires collective responsibility from government, organisations and communities.
He urged residents to regard every tree planted as an investment in healthier ecosystems, improved livelihoods and a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Musa stressed that consistent tree planting and proper maintenance would help restore degraded landscapes and strengthen resilience to climate-related challenges.
The Kaduna State Ministry of Environment also advised residents to protect trees as valuable natural assets capable of improving environmental quality and public health.
The Ministry’s Divisional Forest Officer for Zaria and Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Sadi Dahiru, said trees serve as windbreaks, reduce soil erosion and provide clean air, fruits and medicinal benefits.
He encouraged schools to establish tree-planting programmes to instil environmental consciousness and sustainable practices among children.
Also speaking, the Manager of Teku Farms, Unguwan Sarki Branch, Aminu Salihu, trained participants on proper tree-planting and maintenance techniques.
Salihu said the project distributed 2,000 seedlings comprising 10 species, including mango, orange, soursop, sweet apple, avocado, cashew, rose apple, guava and other economic trees.
He added that, apart from producing fruits, the selected tree species possess medicinal value and contribute significantly to environmental restoration.
The Village Head of Hayin Dogo, Shehu Musa, commended CWED for selecting the communities for the project and pledged the residents’ commitment to protecting the seedlings.
He said the campaign has increased awareness of environmental conservation and would help reduce erosion while improving the communities’ landscape and livelihoods.
Musa assured the organisation that traditional leaders would mobilise residents to nurture the trees to ensure the project achieves its intended objectives.
