The Kwara State Government has ordered the suspension of Chainsaw operations across the state to ensure Tree and Forest preservation and conservation for environmental sustainability.

The Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Samuel Bamisaiye stated this during an afforestation camping to Patigi Local Government Area of the state.

Bamisaiye said the directive became imperative in accordance with the Policy Thrust of the present administration on environmental protection, stressing that vilators would be prosecuted according to the law.

He pointed out that a Special Task Force has been set up to apprehend offenders and confiscate illegal Chainsaw Planks as well as their operational vehicles.

The commissioner expressed satisfaction with the fatherly role being played by the Etsu of Patigi, Alhaji Ibralwm Chatta Umar to curtail the unlawful Chainsaw operations in the area and appealed to other traditional rulers and community leaders in the state to collaborate with the state government in its efforts towards curbing illegal felling of trees in Kwara State.

Hon. Bamisaiye. who cautioned stakeholders against all forms of forest depletion, encouraged the people of the stale to cultivate the habit of tree planting to preserve the environment from the severe effects of Climate Change.

The commissioner charged the Patigi Local Council to provide a designate site for refuse dumps and urged the people of the area to always keep their environment clean.

By The Herald