Forest Conservation and Human Security Outcomes: The Role of Local Communities in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66545/cq22w829Keywords:
forest management, human security, local community participation, forest conservationAbstract
This study investigates the role of local communities in forest conservation and its impact on human security in Ondo State, Nigeria, using a cross-sectional survey design across selected six forest reserve communities in Ondo State. Employing a mixed-methods approach with a multi-stage sampling strategy, data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, multiple linear regression, and Chi-Square tests. Findings reveal that corruption and lack of transparency, weak institutional capacity, restrictive government policies, lack of awareness and education, and poor communication are significant barriers to community participation, collectively accounting for 91.454% of variance and exacerbating human insecurity. Policy recommendations include enhancing transparency, strengthening institutions, reforming policies, increasing awareness, empowering communities, and improving government-community communication to foster effective forest conservation and enhance human security outcomes
References
Adjei, O., Dakurah, G. B., Forkuor, D., & Adjei, J. O. (2023). Forest security appraisal of community management interventions against threats of forest commons at Offinso North District in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Geography, 15(1), 35–61. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjg.v15i1.2
Akinsoji, A. (2013). Vegetation analysis of Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Mambilla Plateau Nigeria. Journal of Natural Science Research, 3(12), 121–125.
Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 35(4), 216–224.
Asian Development Bank. (2012). Strengthening participation for development results: An Asian Development Bank guide to participation. Asian Development Bank. ISBN 978-92-9092 526-2
Ati, O. F., Sheyin, T., Abbas, I., & Muhammad, S. (2010). Assessing changes in Kagoro Forest, Kaduna State Nigeria using remote sensing and GIS. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 2(2), 121–132.
Ayeni, A. O., Soneye, A. S. O., & Badru, F. A. (2013). Adaptation to water stress and climate change in Nigeria: The indigenous knowledge and socio-cultural nexus of humanitarian services and crisis management. In Proceedings of Production and Operation Management Society (POMS) Conference on “Humanitarian Services and Crisis Management” (pp. 1–10). Denver, Colorado, USA.
Bailey, R. (2022). Temperate forests: Climate, locations, wildlife. Enviro Facts (Sustainability for All). Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://www.treehugger.com/land-biomes-temperateforests-373499
Bassey, E. E. (2003). Conservation of the Nigerian rain forest: Reasons, obstacles and strategies. In XII World Forestry Congress. Quebec City, Canada. https://www.fao.org/4/XII/0139B1.htm#
Brett, E. A. (2003). Participation and accountability in development management. Journal of Development Studies, 40(2), 1–29.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1988). Foreword. In A. R. Pence (Ed.), Ecological research with children and families: From concepts to methodology (pp. ix–xxix). New York: Teachers College Press.
Bronfenbrenner, U., & Ceci, S. J. (1994). Nature-nurture reconceptualized in developmental perspective: A bio-ecological model. Psychological Review, 101(4), 568–586.
BYJU. (2019). Conservation of forest and wildlife – Overview. Retrieved from https://byjus.com/biology/conservation-of-forest-and-wildlife-overview
Cadmus Group LLC & ICF. (2020). USAID/Nigeria Foreign Assistance Act 118/119 Tropical Forest and Biodiversity Analysis.
Cornwall, A. (2008). Unpacking 'participation': Models, meanings and practices. Community Development Journal, 43(3), 269–283.
Edelenbos, J., van Schie, N., & Gerrits, L. (2010). Organizing interfaces between government institutions and interactive governance. Policy Sciences, 43(1), 73–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-009-9086-2
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2010). Global forest resources assessment 2010: Main report (FAO Forestry Paper 163). http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1757e/i1757e.pdf
Ihenyen, J., Okoegwale, E. E., & Mensah, J. K. (2009). Composition of tree species in Ehor Forest Reserve, Edo State, Nigeria. Nature and Science, 7(8), 8–18.
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). (1994). Whose Eden? An overview of community approaches to wildlife management. A report to the Overseas Development Administration of the British Government.
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). (2005). Status of tropical forest management, Nigeria. https://www.itto.int/sfm/2005/details/id=12350000
Jaitli, N., & Brown, L. D. (1999). Understanding participation in large scale development programmes. Institute for Development Research (IDR) Reports, 15(1). http://www.worlded.org/docs/Publications/idr/pdf/15-1.pdf
Jimoh, S. O., Ikyaagba, E. T., Alarape, A. A., Obioha, E. E., & Adeyemi, A. A. (2012). The role of traditional laws and taboos in wildlife conservation in the Oban Hill Sector of Cross River National Park (CRNP), Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology, 39(3), 209–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2012.11906513
Kaur, K. P. (2023). The link between political representation and forest conservation? Representation and forest conservation: Evidence from India's scheduled areas. https://politicalsciencenow.com/the-link-between-political-representation-and-forestconservation/
Ladan, S. I. (2014). Forests and forest reserves as security threats in Northern Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, 10(35), 1–13. ISSN: 1857-7881 (Print) e-ISSN 1857-7431
Morrow, N., Mock, N. B., Gatto, A., LeMense, J., & Hudson, M. (2022). Protective pathways: Connecting environmental and human security at local and landscape level with NLP and geospatial analysis. Land, 11(1), 123. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11010123
Mubita, A., Mundia, L., & Munalula, M. (2017). The importance and limitations of participation in development projects and programmes. European Scientific Journal, 13(5), 238–250. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2017.v13n5p238
Nabatchi, T., & Amsler, L. M. (2014). Direct public engagement in local government. The American Review of Public Administration, 44(4), 63–88.
Neugarten, R. A., Barrett, C. B., Rasolofoson, R. A., Vieilledent, G., & Rodewald, A. D. (2024). The effect of a political crisis on performance of community forests and protected areas in Madagascar. Nature Communications, 15(2963). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-02447318-0
Nkemnyi, M. F. (2016). An analysis of local participation in community forestry: The case of Tinto and Bimbia-Bonadikombo Community Forest, Cameroon. Sustainability in Environment, 1(2). www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/se
Nowak, D. J., & Walton, J. T. (2005). Projected urban growth (2000–2050) and its estimated impact on the US forest resource. Journal of Forestry, 103(8), 383–389.
Oduntan, O. O., Soaga, J. A. O., Akinyemi, A. F., & Ojo, S. O. (2013). Human activities, pressure and its threat on forest reserves in Yewa division of Ogun State, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Research and Management, 4(15).
Ojo, M. O., & Asinwa, I. O. (2022). Development and sustainable forest management in Nigeria: Implication of country's insecurity. In Proceedings of the 8th Biennial Conference of the Forests & Forest Products Society. Ibadan, Nigeria: Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.
Oluwole, O., et al. (2017). Assessments of the forest, poverty and environmental security nexus in Uganda. International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Science, 1(6), 30–35.
Torfing, J., Sørensen, E., & Røiseland, A. (2019). Transforming the public sector into an arena for co-creation: Barriers, drivers, benefits, and ways forward. Administration and Society, 51(5), 795–825.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (1994). Human development report. New York, NY: UNDP. ISBN 0-19-509170-1
United Nations Nigeria. (2022). Common country analysis.
Worldacademy. (2024). What is human security? https://worldacademy.org/humans e c u r i t y / ? g a d _ s o u r c e =1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7YHm--70hwMVIqdoCR1iqRvaEAAYASAAEgIqffD_BwE
