The Niger State Government on Monday said Green Guards had commenced patrol of the entire forests in the State to prevent bush burning.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Aliyu Tangwagi, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Minna.
He advised people against burning the bush indiscriminately in the State.
He said such practice could cause negative effect on the environment, adding that the state government will not tolerate such misconduct from the residents.
He said step had been taken to ensure the safety of forests as members of the Green Guards would arrest and prosecute those found setting the bush on fire.
He stressed that the green guards had since embarked on patrol of the entire forests in the state.
The commissioner solicited the support of traditional rulers to curb indiscriminate cutting down of trees and rampant bush burning in the state.
He said that members of the green guards would continue to work with royal fathers to ensure maximum protection for the state’s forests.