The impact of socioeconomic variables of fringe forest dwellers on forest resources conservation on Egbema Forest Reserve in Imo State, Nigeria

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Research Paper 03/12/2022
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The impact of socioeconomic variables of fringe forest dwellers on forest resources conservation on Egbema Forest Reserve in Imo State, Nigeria

Dickens E. Dolor, Abigail O. Ohwo, Chiamaka C. Chukwumaeze, Anselm E. Egwunatum
J. Bio. Env. Sci.21( 6), 1-10, December 2022.
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Abstract

The study examined impact of socio-economic activities of forest dwellers on forest resource conservation in Egbema Forest Reserve, Imo State. Purposive and multistage sampling techniques were employed to obtain information from a total of 150 respondents from randomly selected villages bordering the forest reserve for the study. Data on respondents’ socio-economic activities, effect of socioeconomic activities on forest conservation, forest conservation conflict and determinants of access to forest resources were obtained through structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Descriptive (Tables, frequency, likert scale) and inferential statistics (Binary logistic regression) was used to analyze data. The result shows that respondents were between 30-39 years, mostly male (57.3%), have tertiary education 44.7% and are married 54.0%. Respondents’ socio-economic activities were farming (29.3%), Livestock production (8.7%), NTFPs collection (8.7%), Fuel-wood harvesting (6.7%) and logging (5.33%). Logging (1.54±0.06) had negative effect while livestock production (2.46±0.07) had positive effect on forest resources conservation using a 4- point likert scale. Serious conflict existed with theft as the lowest mean value of 2.78±0.06 and encroachment the highest (3.12±0.06). Binary logistic regression shows that location, occupation and access to NTFPs are the factors that influence respondent’s access to the forest. Employment and sensitization of forest dwellers in management and on sustainable forest use is recommended by this study for effective conservation of the forest.

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