Ekiti Forestry Task Force Destroys 20 Hectares Of Cannabis Plantation

The Ekiti State Forestry Task Force has destroyed over 20 hectares of illegal cannabis (Indian hemp) plantation in the Ise Forest Reserves.

This operation was carried out following a tip-off about nefarious activities within the government reserves along the Ise axis.

Sunday Adekunle, the Executive Secretary of the State Forestry Commission, disclosed that the task force’s action aligns with the government’s commitment to combating illegalities and reducing deforestation in the state’s forest reserves.

He emphasised that making the state’s forest reserves more productive and flushing out criminal elements from the reserves are high on the Commission’s agenda.

Quoting Adekunle, “The 20-hectare Indian hemp plantation and nursery prepared for transplanting of the illegal weeds were destroyed in the operation.

“The recent recruitment of 22 new forest officers and 17 boundary guards by the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration is having the required multiplier effect, in terms of improved security through regular patrols of the forest reserves.

“Efforts were on to encourage local farmers to engage in farming activities on some lands within the forest reserves through agroforestry methods, particularly through planting of tree seedlings being currently raised at the Commission’s Central Nursery at Erinfun in Ado-Ekiti.”

Furthermore, the Executive Secretary stated that the commission would continue to embark on public education and sensitization campaigns on critical issues such as tree planting, wildlife conservation, fire control, and other matters to boost forest conservation and afforestation efforts in the state.