Forest Governance Approaches for Conservation and Rural Livelihood in Communities of Enugu and Cross River States
The study examined forest governance strategies for conservation in selected communities in Enugu and Cross River States, Nigeria. A total of 396 forest-fringe household heads were surveyed using a multi-stage sampling method, focusing on communities within two forest ecosystems characterized by di...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agricultural Extension |
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| Online Access: | https://journal.aesonnigeria.org/index.php/jae/article/view/5492 |
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| author | Chiebonam Justina Ayogu Chinasa Sylvia Onyenekwe Onyinyechi Ifeanyichukwu Nnadi Rosemary Nnedinso Arua Remigius Ikechukwu Ozioko |
| author_facet | Chiebonam Justina Ayogu Chinasa Sylvia Onyenekwe Onyinyechi Ifeanyichukwu Nnadi Rosemary Nnedinso Arua Remigius Ikechukwu Ozioko |
| author_sort | Chiebonam Justina Ayogu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
The study examined forest governance strategies for conservation in selected communities in Enugu and Cross River States, Nigeria. A total of 396 forest-fringe household heads were surveyed using a multi-stage sampling method, focusing on communities within two forest ecosystems characterized by different governance models. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, particularly percentages, to assess respondents' access to forest resources and perceptions of governance. Findings revealed that the Cross River National Park (CRNP) adopted a zero-encroachment policy—prohibiting hunting (83.0%), logging (70.6%), farming (28.9%), and bush burning (14.4%)—which significantly restricted local access to forest-based livelihoods. In contrast, Enugu State exhibited a near absence of formal forest governance, with no prohibitions or ticketing systems in place, leading to unchecked exploitation and heavy dependence on forest resources (35.1% collected forest products regularly). Despite CRNP’s restrictive policies, weak enforcement (0.0% prohibition of unauthorized activities) undermined conservation efforts. The study concluded that exclusionary policies alone are inadequate for sustainable forest management. It recommends that CRNP administrators integrate local communities into decision-making processes, enhance enforcement mechanisms, and develop alternative livelihood options to support both conservation goals and rural well-being.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9ec0de25303549ec81c175afeae6dfae |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1119-944X 2408-6851 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Agricultural Extension |
| spelling | doaj-art-9ec0de25303549ec81c175afeae6dfae2025-08-20T03:13:05ZengAgricultural Extension Society of NigeriaJournal of Agricultural Extension1119-944X2408-68512025-07-01293Forest Governance Approaches for Conservation and Rural Livelihood in Communities of Enugu and Cross River StatesChiebonam Justina Ayogu0Chinasa Sylvia Onyenekwe 1Onyinyechi Ifeanyichukwu Nnadi2Rosemary Nnedinso Arua3Remigius Ikechukwu Ozioko4University of Nigeria NsukkaDepartment of Agricultural Economics, University of Nigeria NsukkaDepartment of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, NsukkaDepartment of Agricultural Economics, University of Nigeria NsukkaDepartment of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka The study examined forest governance strategies for conservation in selected communities in Enugu and Cross River States, Nigeria. A total of 396 forest-fringe household heads were surveyed using a multi-stage sampling method, focusing on communities within two forest ecosystems characterized by different governance models. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, particularly percentages, to assess respondents' access to forest resources and perceptions of governance. Findings revealed that the Cross River National Park (CRNP) adopted a zero-encroachment policy—prohibiting hunting (83.0%), logging (70.6%), farming (28.9%), and bush burning (14.4%)—which significantly restricted local access to forest-based livelihoods. In contrast, Enugu State exhibited a near absence of formal forest governance, with no prohibitions or ticketing systems in place, leading to unchecked exploitation and heavy dependence on forest resources (35.1% collected forest products regularly). Despite CRNP’s restrictive policies, weak enforcement (0.0% prohibition of unauthorized activities) undermined conservation efforts. The study concluded that exclusionary policies alone are inadequate for sustainable forest management. It recommends that CRNP administrators integrate local communities into decision-making processes, enhance enforcement mechanisms, and develop alternative livelihood options to support both conservation goals and rural well-being. https://journal.aesonnigeria.org/index.php/jae/article/view/5492BiodiversityConservationForest governance |
| spellingShingle | Chiebonam Justina Ayogu Chinasa Sylvia Onyenekwe Onyinyechi Ifeanyichukwu Nnadi Rosemary Nnedinso Arua Remigius Ikechukwu Ozioko Forest Governance Approaches for Conservation and Rural Livelihood in Communities of Enugu and Cross River States Journal of Agricultural Extension Biodiversity Conservation Forest governance |
| title | Forest Governance Approaches for Conservation and Rural Livelihood in Communities of Enugu and Cross River States |
| title_full | Forest Governance Approaches for Conservation and Rural Livelihood in Communities of Enugu and Cross River States |
| title_fullStr | Forest Governance Approaches for Conservation and Rural Livelihood in Communities of Enugu and Cross River States |
| title_full_unstemmed | Forest Governance Approaches for Conservation and Rural Livelihood in Communities of Enugu and Cross River States |
| title_short | Forest Governance Approaches for Conservation and Rural Livelihood in Communities of Enugu and Cross River States |
| title_sort | forest governance approaches for conservation and rural livelihood in communities of enugu and cross river states |
| topic | Biodiversity Conservation Forest governance |
| url | https://journal.aesonnigeria.org/index.php/jae/article/view/5492 |
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