The Nasarawa State Government has placed a ban on the use and sale of charcoal in the state.

This new development is said to be necessary in a bid to protect the environment.

The ban was announced at a press briefing in Lafia over the weekend by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Aliyu Agwai.

According to Agwai, the process of producing charcoal is harmful to the environment, stressing that it possesses the ability of destroying the climate and increasing global warming.

The Permanent Secretary noted that burning of charcoal, especially, would produce harmful emission capable of affecting health of residents.

“Cutting trees can result in the loss of habitat for animal species, which can harm the ecosystems.