EXTENT AND IMPACT OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN FOREST POLICY GOVERNANCE IN CENTRAL CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63456/seve5937Keywords:
Extent, Impact, Community Participation, Forest Policy Governance, Central Cross River State, NigeriaAbstract
The study evaluated the extent and impact of community participation in forest policy governance in Central Cross River State, Nigeria. Four (4) research objectives targeted at identifying major communities actively conserving/preserving their forest, assessing the reasons for rapid deforestation, examining the level of participation of local stakeholders in forestry policy formulation and implementation, likewise the extent at which the forest cover is threatened in Central Cross River State. The study used a combination of geospatial technique in mapping forest hotspot and analysis of land use land cover change detection, questionnaires and focus group discussion in obtaining information from households in the forest-dependent communities. As part of the study’s finding, the Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) analysis confirms that the Central Cross River Senatorial District retains a significant, yet highly threatened, forest estate, covering 442,487 hectares or 57.22% of the mapped territory. It was revealed that the primary threat to the forest is intense anthropogenic pressure, driven overwhelmingly by Farm/Fallow Land, which alone consumes 33.35% of the area. The detailed mapping of 13 Forest Communities demonstrates that most settlements are directly adjacent to this main forest block, confirming that resource-dependent activities—including agricultural expansion and the harvesting of high-value timber like Apa (Afzelia Africana)—are the main cause of ongoing deforestation. The study confirmed that the effectiveness of forest policy is severely hindered by low community involvement and this lack of inclusion fuels conflict largely because they failed to consider community concerns, resulting in a perceived negative economic impact on livelihoods. It was recommended that policy reform targeted at increasing community participation and a structured community awareness programs that clearly communicate policy rationales, benefits, and responsibilities should be strengthened.
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