Trees provide many benefits to human existence. As they grow, they help absorb and sink the carbon that would have otherwise contributed to global heating. The more trees, the better the serenity provided by the environment.
Tree planting has become the foundation of many environmental campaigns in recent years. They help in numerous ways like preventing floods, reducing temperature and harsh weather; as well as keeping the soil rich in nutrients.
Dr Aisha Muhammad Aliyu, an environmentalist on the Campus says people only look at the significance of trees from one perspective which is why it isn’t difficult for them to cut them down.
“The air we all breathe is purified when there are trees around, meaning that we are healthier around nature; around trees, because they take in the carbons and harmful toxins in the air and in return give us oxygen which is why a place with trees cannot be compared with a place with none when it comes to serenity.
“Imagine if you had to give money for the air you breathe, maybe then you’ll give value to these trees. In some countries, cutting down a tree is a crime and I wish such will be implemented in this country because this is how we will take care of and nurture our environment.
We should remember that everything we do to our environment will directly affect us so it is important that we take care of it instead of destroying it and reducing its capacity” she said.
She added that trees also regulate temperature by reducing the intensity of heat radiating from the sun. Thus, Dr Aliyu further advised the school authority to include planting and taking care of trees as part of school activities conducted at the university.
Alhassan Garba, a farmer along the faculty of law on the campus explained that trees on the campus help in the aspect of carrying out his farming activities as the trees not only regulate temperature or reduce the impact of harsh wind but having trees close to his farm has increased the soil fertility in his farm by far, compared to other farms in other locations.
Another farmer in the campus Muhammad Salisu said “aside provision of shade by these trees, the tree in my farmland is a fruit-bearing tree and I sell the fruits for additional income. Sometimes ago herbal doctors used to come and take extracts from the trees to use as medicines.”
Fatima Sani a level 300 student who owns a car explained that whenever she comes to school with her vehicle, the trees in front of Ramat hostel help in providing shade which cools her car while she receives lectures. “I will like to call on the school authority to provide more trees for us, especially in my faculty (Faculty of earth and environmental science) so I don’t have to park my car in Ramat”
Lukman Jibril also a level 300 student at BUK’s old site said “I get so excited at times if I am coming to the campus from somewhere else because the atmosphere changes at the entrance, especially during heat period. Immediately I enter the campus, my system will calm down. In my opinion, the air is even better than Air conditioners because it is natural.” He said.
Without a doubt, trees are essential to life on the planet. Amongst the many environmental benefits of planting trees includes the restoration of quality of life in the community and the world at large and also contributes to fighting climate change.
