Blog Details

For: Stakeholders in Environmental Sustainability and Development partners.

This information regarding institutional planting and environmental sustainability initiatives at the Gombe State College of Health Sciences and Technology (GSCST), Kaltungo is compiled by Green Climate Support (GCS), While the College is highly focused on advancing healthcare through innovation, research, and infrastructure development, specific, publicly documented reports detailing a dedicated, large-scale tree planting and beautification program on the campus. However, the College operates within the broader context of the Gombe State Government's "Green Gombe Agenda", which is actively promoted through agencies like the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), NEWMAP-EIB projects. It is presumed that GSCST Kaltungo, as a key public institution, is aligned with and participates in state-level efforts to promote a sustainable, green environment, especially given the presence of Environmental Health Technology programs.

Gombe State College of Health Sciences and Technology (GSCST), Kaltungo

GSCST Kaltungo serves as a primary institution for training mid-level and high-level human resources for health, offering a range of programs including Environmental Health Technology (EHT), Community Health Extension Work (CHEW), and Health Information Management (HIM). The relevance of environmental programs suggests a foundational understanding of the importance of ecological balance and sustainability in public health practice.

The Green Gombe Agenda

Institutional planting efforts are generally situated within the state's strategic environmental policy framework. The Gombe State Government, under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has championed the "Green Gombe Agenda," focusing on climate change mitigation, restoration of degraded landscapes, and urban beautification. Green Climate Support (GCS) have implemented large-scale tree planting in various parts of the state, utilizing exotic and indigenous seedlings (e.g., Mango, Black Currant, Cassia).

Specific Campus Initiatives (Data Gap)

A comprehensive institutional report detailing the College's independent, year-on-year tree planting campaigns, the species utilized, the survival rate of seedlings, and student/staff participation numbers is analyzed and documented.

Presumed Environmental Practices

Given the College's academic offerings, particularly the Environmental Health Technology (EHT) department, with the support of GCS the students and staff engage in activities that contribute to the institutional management, which may include: 1. Beautification Projects: Localized planting of ornamental plants and shrubs around administrative blocks, lecture halls, and hostels.
2. Waste Management: Implementation of waste segregation and disposal systems, often a precursor to broader environmental campaigns like planting.
3. Environmental Awareness: Curriculum integration of environmental sustainability, including tree planting, to fulfill course requirements or community engagement mandates.

Framework for an Effective Institutional Planting Program

4. Framework for an Effective Institutional Planting Program To institutionalize and track its environmental commitment, the GSCST Kaltungo has formally adopt a structured planting program with the following components:
Objective = To mitigate heat effect, enhance air quality, prevent erosion, and beautify the campus.
Species Selection = Prioritize resilient, drought-tolerant, and indigenous species suitable for the semi-arid climate of Kaltungo (e.g., Neem, Mango, Gmelina, or specific local fruit trees).
Designated Zones = Identify specific areas for planting: perimeter fencing for windbreaks, open grounds for shade, and courtyards for aesthetics.
Sustainability = Implement a robust Post-Planting Maintenance Plan assigning responsibility for watering, protection, and monitoring the survival rate.
Involvement = Institutionalize an annual "Provost's Green Initiative" or "Student Environmental Day" to ensure perpetual commitment and broad participation among staff and students.

Conclusion:

While the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Kaltungo, shows strong institutional commitment to academic excellence and development, the College is encouraged to formally publish records of its environmental stewardship activities to show case its contribution to the "Green Gombe Agenda" and provide practical learning examples for its students, particularly those in environmental and community health fields.