The Kwara House of Assembly on Thursday summoned the state Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Otunba Taiwo Joseph over indiscriminate felling of trees in various parts of the state.

The House in a resolution directed the commissioner to first appear before the committee on Health and Environment to explain the rationale behind the indiscriminate felling of trees.

This directive was sequel to the adoption of a motion on notice titled ``Curbing indiscriminate felling of trees in Kwara,'' moved by Adamu Usman (APC- Okuta/Yashikira Constituency).

Usman said there was existing policy on saw-chain and felling of trees, which stated that that "if anyone cut down a tree, he must plant two seedlings to replace it."

He expressed concern that saw-millers and saw-chain men in the state cut down trees without planting seedlings to replenish the forest, adding that this could lead to desertification.

added that most worrisome was that most people of the state encourage the activities of saw-millers and saw-chain men, who made money from their activities at the detriment of the environmental.

The lawmaker noted that deforestation caused habitat destruction, erosion, flooding and global warming, among other problems.

Contributing, the member representing Edu Constituency, Ishaku Aliyu-Adams said traditional rulers were not helping the situation, claiming that some of them were involved in the business.

Aliyu-Adams called on the state government to stop cutting of trees for the next five years to prevent deforestation.

The Speaker of the House, Dr Ali Ahmad urged traditional rulers and association of farmers in the state to assist the state government in reducing indiscriminate tree felling.

Ahmad directed the state Ministry of Environment and Forestry to immediately commence enforcement of existing policy relating to tree felling and planting in the state. (NAN)