By Shuaibu Yusuf
Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria, is a region known for its agricultural resilience and its position along the vital floodplains of the River Niger. However, a quiet but devastating environmental shift is taking place. Deforestation—the rapid removal of trees and natural vegetation—is no longer just an abstract environmental concern; it has become a direct threat to the livelihoods, safety, and future of the Shanga people.
As of recent 2024 data, Shanga has seen a significant decline in its natural forest cover, with nearly 100% of its tree cover loss attributed to human-driven deforestation, primarily for permanent agriculture and fuel wood.
The Accelerant of Perennial Floodings
Shanga is naturally prone to flooding due to its geography, but deforestation has turned these seasonal events into catastrophes. Without the natural “sponge” effect of tree roots and leaf litter, the soil can no longer absorb heavy rainfall.
The Result: Water rushes directly into the river systems and onto farmlands.
Recent Impact: In late 2024, communities like Tungar-Buzuru in Dugu Ward saw thousands of residents displaced and hundreds of thousands of hectares of rice and millet destroyed. Trees used to act as a barrier; now, there is nothing to stop the surge.
Desertification and the “Dust Bowl” Effect
Located in the Sudan Savannah region, Shanga is on the front lines of the encroaching Sahara. Trees act as windbreaks and stabilize the soil.
Soil Degradation: When trees are cleared for charcoal or farming, the “skeletal” soil is left exposed to the harsh Harmattan winds and the scorching sun.
As a result of this, it leads to desertification, where once-fertile land turns into unproductive sand dunes. For a community that depends on the land, this is a slow-motion economic death sentence.
Destruction of Agricultural Productivity
It is a bitter irony that most deforestation in Shanga is done to create more space for farms. In reality, removing trees destroys the very nutrients the crops need.
Nutrient Leaching: Without a canopy to protect the soil, torrential rains wash away the fertile topsoil.
Decreased Yields: Studies show that a 1% increase in deforestation can lead to a nearly 1.7% decrease in agricultural productivity. For Shanga’s farmers, this means more work for less food.
Loss of Biodiversity and Natural Medicine
The forests of Shanga are not just “wood”; they are pharmacies and habitats.
Medicinal Plants: Many local treatments for malaria and other ailments rely on rare roots and barks found in natural forests.
Ecosystem Collapse: The loss of habitat drives away pollinators and wildlife, further disrupting the natural balance required for a healthy environment.
Economically, the dangers are not just environmental—they are financial. Deforestation in Shanga has contributed to:
Increased Poverty: As land becomes less fertile, families struggle to maintain their income.
Conflict: The search for dwindling fertile land and grazing areas often sparks tension between farmers and herders.
Infrastructure Loss: Without tree roots to hold the earth, gully erosion is washing away the roads that link Shanga to the rest of Kebbi State.
To reverse this trend, Shanga LGA must embrace a dual approach of Afforestation (planting new trees) and Sustainable Energy. Providing alternatives to fuel wood—such as clean cookstoves—is essential to stopping the daily demand for timber. The trees of Shanga are the area’s natural armor. If they continue to fall, the community stands exposed to the full, unbridled force of a changing climate.
Shuaibu Yusuf writes from Shanga, Kebbi State, and can be reached via: shuaibuyusuf900@gmail.com