The Kwara State Government has constituted a 17-man Forestry Task Force in Kaiama in order to monitor all illegal forest activities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Alhaji Usman Abubakar Mora, who inaugurated the task force, lamented the high rate of tree felling for charcoal production and bush burning which have caused environmental degradation in Kaiama Local Government.

Mora therefore called for collaborative efforts of the indigenes and residents in order to prevent avoidable environmental disasters in the area, while charging the committee to ensure positive changes in the state forest reserves in the area.

The commissioner, however, warned all members of the Timber Chainsaw Miller Association to desist from any form of illegalities in the forest or be prosecuted according to the Forestry Laws.

The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Shehu Muazu Omar, who was represented by the Council Secretary, Alhaji Sabi Bawa, in his remarks commended the state government for its efforts at ensuring a safe and hazard-free environment in Kaiama Local Government.

He therefore enjoined the youths to join hands with the state government so as to protect and regulate all forest activities in Kwara State.

In his address, the Chairman, Kaiama Local Government, Alhaji Bagudu Yahaya, who pointed out that there are twenty- seven Saw Mills in Kaiama, stressed the need to minimize the existing saw mills in order to reduce felling of trees in the forest reserves.