Abia State government says some parts of its forest reserve in Ajata Ibeku have been sold by individuals.
The State government also lamented that another government forest reserve Ubibia, Bende LGA, has been converted to illegal Cocoa plantation by illegal occupants.
Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Philomenn Ogbonna, who was speaking on the illegal activities, expressed shock that Nkalụnta forest reserve in Iyalụ/Iberenta community, Ikwụanọ Local government area, has been cleared by unauthorized persons.
He disclosed that one of the land grabbers has been arrested for illegally felling and selling trees.
He stated that the government received information from reliable sources that certain individuals were involved in illegal forestry actions, adding that those behind the encroachment would strictly be prosecuted.
The Commissioner stressed that forest reserves serve for environmental maintenance, biodiversity conservation for present and future generations and appealed to communities to protect the reserves.
