IMPACT OF DEFORESTATION ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY OF KEFFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE.

Deforestation is a major ecological problem in Nigeria. The present study was conducted to measure the causes and effects of deforestation in Keffi Local Government Area. A survey was conducted for this purpose. Three villages of Keffi Local Government Council (Yerkedeh, Angwan Ninzon and Angwan-Jaba) were selected using purposively sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was designed and used to collect data from 120 respondent. Findings of the study highlighted commercial logging with 44% as the main cause of deforestation. Deforestation has also affected agricultural productivity of the area and decreased the availability of fuel wood, fodder for the local communities. Deforestation has also caused soil erosion in the study area. The Government should give the communities regular orientation on the importance of afforestation and the effect of deforestation, hence at the local level, efforts should be made to ensure broad public participation of all stakeholders in decision making and policy-design and implementation.