SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECT OF DEFORESTRTATION (CASE STUDY OF KWALI AREA COUNCIL, FCT-ABUJA)

Date

2019-03-19

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Department of Environmental Resource Management, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

Abstract

Deforestation is a conventional environmental challenge substantially affecting the resilience and distribution of forests across different boundaries. It is simply defined as the removal of vegetation cover for a variety of purposes like housing, farming, mining, industrial, residential and grazing activities without any immediate replanting of trees, shrubs and grasses. The high rate of forest cover loss (deforestation) has attracted increasing international attention in recent years. In recent decades, the world has experienced unprecedented loss of its forests particularly in tropical areas, though it is observed on a global scale that the rate of deforestation has shown sign of a decrease. The problem of deforestation in the tropics has been appraised by governments, private organizations and industrial scientists in recent years. Deforestation and forest degradation are the consequences of the interaction of the various environmental and socio-economic forces at work in any given region. It is a dynamic process which can be regulated by complex biophysical and socio-economic factors. Forests have exerted a tremendous influence on living conditions and economic development in many societies. In spite of the benefits to different stake holders derived from forest resources, the activities of deforestation have been identified as the most significant threat to the integrity of tropical rainforest ecosystems and the livelihoods of forest dwellers. The main aim of this study is to determine the Socio-economic impact of Deforestation, case study of Kwali Area Council. In this study questionnaire method was employed on gathering the requisite data. The questionnaire serves as a major tool for the collection of data for the study. The data collected in this study was analyzed statistically by the use of frequency tables, percentage and Chi Square method. The findings of the study indicated that there are Factors that influenced decision to deforest in Kwali Area Council and the environmental impact of deforestation affected the livelihood of indigenous people of Kwali Area Council. The recommendations of the study were: government at all levels should reinvigorate adult literacy programme or expand the universal basic education programme to allow farmers with the primary education to upgrade themselves and The forest extension agents should adequately be motivated, trained toward giving relevant, clear and sensible technical advice to the stakeholders in the forestry activities.

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Citation

A PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER DEGREE (M.Sc) IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES OF NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI.