By Abdullahi Jalalludeen
The Kano State Government has banned the illegal use of chainsaws for cutting, peeling, and trimming of trees across the state as part of efforts to curb deforestation and strengthen environmental protection.
The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Mohammad Hashim, announced the decision during a media briefing held in Kano.
He said the move is backed by the 1999 Constitution, the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007, the National Environmental Regulations 2014, and Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) strategy to cut deforestation by 60 percent.
He said to regulate the process, the ministry introduced a Chainsaw Usage Permit Framework (CU-PF), which requires all commercial operators and logging businesses to register with the ministry.
Dr Dahiru Mohammad Hashim explained that Licenses will be renewable annually, with each chainsaw tagged with an official identification number.
He said no tree may be felled, trimmed, or uprooted without a permit, and every removed tree must be replaced with two or three saplings. Permits will only be issued after inspection by forestry officers, while fees collected will fund replanting and climate resilience programmes.
“The ministry has also created a digital registry of licensed operators, with QR-coded permits for verification. Enforcement will be carried out in collaboration with security agencies, local governments, traditional institutions, and community forest monitors.”
“Violators risk a fine of ₦500,000, confiscation of equipment, and possible imprisonment for operating without a license. Unauthorized tree felling will attract a ₦250,000 fine per tree, replanting orders, and confiscation.”
Dr. Hashim called on schools, local government chairmen, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to support enforcement by safeguarding reserves, sensitizing communities, and discouraging indiscriminate tree cutting.
“This step marks a decisive move in our fight against illegal deforestation,” the Commissioner said. “Kano State is setting a standard for environmental governance.”
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