EVOLVING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION BASED APPROACH IN FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN EDU LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research was aimed at evolving Community participation Model in Forests Resources Management in Edu Local Government, Kwara State, Nigeria. Literatures reviewed were centered on Community Participation and Management of Forests Resources internationally, regionally and nationally. The gap was identified that none of such has been done in the study area with the appropriate methodology used. Normalized Deference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to detect changes in Forests Resources in the Study area between 1990 and 2018. Normalized Burn Ratios (NBR) was also used to show the rate of forests burning in the Study area. Structured questionnaires were employed to study the methods used in the past in managing Forests Resources in the Local Government for thirty (30) years and better alternative methods that could be employed to manage Forests Resources in the area. The result shows a reduction in Forests resources significantly. NDVI result shows (-0.26) which indicates a decrease in vegetation cover in the study area. The vegetation index Map of 2005 also shows there is further decrease in vegetation (0.58) (0.48) in 1990 and 2005 respectively. NDVI values of (0.35) indicated a further decline in the vegetation of the area, 2005 -2018(0.48) (0.35) respectively. Edu Local Government Forests Burn area Change detection for 1990, 2005 and 2018 shows large positive (blue) and large negative (red) which indicated changes in the study area’s forests (-0.5) and (0.5) ratios. The Communal Land tenure system used to manage Forest Resources in the area have not helped in preserving the natural vegetation in the area due to loss of family values. Government’s revenue generation policies had encouraged cutting down of trees. Better alternative Community participation approach as revealed in the study will help. Planting of tree crops and establishment of forests by the State Government, Edu Local Government Department of Agriculture and Natural resources in collaboration with the communities through Traditional Institutions will be helpful. Monitoring of loggers in the areas by the Communities in collaboration with the Staff of Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources are needed. It is recommended that tree planting campaign should be done in all the media outfit in the State. Privatising Forests resources to individuals will help in effective Management of the Forests resources.