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The Problems Of Deforestation
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In spite
of the multi-various usefulness of the forest resources, rapid
population growth and changes in land uses have put the forest resources
under pressure. For instance, Poore 1989 opined that majority of
logging operations in tropical countries are considered unsuitable and
damaging. The widespred failure of forest governamnce – characterized by
illegal logging, associated illegal trade, and corruption-directly
undermines sustainable economic growth, equitable development, and
environmental conservation. It puts at risk poor and forest-dependent
populations, which rely on timber and non-timber forest products;
undermines responsible forest enterprises by distorting timber and
reducing profitability; and results in a loss of govenrment revenue that
could be invested in sustainable forest management or general economic
development (World Bank, 2006). The major determinants of deforestation
are the available natural resources in an area, how the resources are
being used, traditional beliefs and myths, conflicts in the use of
resources, population pressure, vis-a-vis the problem of pollution
(soils, air or water). According to Meyer and Turner (2009), societies
have profoundly altered their environments in the pursuit of wealth and
power have been punished by environmental catastrophes (natural and
man-induced). They opined further that world forest area has been
reduced by some 20 percent and a large area of land converted from its
original vegetation cover to cropping. The major cause of deforestation
are increasing demand for housing and infrastructural facilities, crop
and timber export, poor agricultural practices cutting of fuel wood for
urban areas, head loading (cutting of fuel wood for sale), forest fires,
logging, and overharvesting. Other causes are overgrazing, road
construction, dam construction, as well as careless exploitation of
forest resources. A large empirical literature exists on the
consequences of deforestation (see Rosenzweig and Parry, 1994; Western,
1999; Johnston, 1989; Bruijnzeel, 2004; and Brookfield, 1992).
Deforestation is responsible for damage to habitate, biodiversity loss
and aridity, extinction of rare species of plants and animals, climate
change, environmental destruction and the subsequent damage to the
sensitive living balance of the ecosystem. Also, empirical studies have
confirmed that if we cannot look after the forest they will soon
disapper (see Brockington, 2007; Hyde and Sedjo, 1992; Waston et al,
1998; Colin, 2001 and Khare et al, 2000). The threat to timber resources
is being combated in most countries by vigorous afforestation. In
addition, many have adopted stringent forestry laws, as in Norway and
Sweden, to prevent waste, and elsewhere, experiments are taking place to
find alternative materials for making paper (Whynne-Hammond, 1979).
Other
strategies of combating deforestation are the use of alternative
sources of energy other than fuel and charcoal, sustainable agricultural
practices rather than slash and burn method of farming, land
management, avoidance of indiscriminate bush burning, as well as
promulgation and enforcement of environmental laws and forest policies.
Likewise, mitigating deforestation entails forest conservation,
protection of endangered species, as well as the promotion of
ecotourism. These are the measures of achieving sustainable development.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The
indiscriminate felling of trees in our forest and the attitude of the
people in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State towards our forest has
necessitated a massive scale and the people seem to be unaware of its
consequences. This study therefore is geared towards finding solutions
to some of the problems of deforestation. This study intends to find out
the following problems;
1. Do deforestation lead to flooding
2. What are the causes of deforestation in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State?
3. Is deforestation cause by lack of proper management of forest?
4. What are the measures being made to control deforestation?
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This research was carried out in order to assess the causes and effects of deforestation in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. the researcher collected his information by distributing questionnaire to the people living in Ovia North East Local government Area in Edo State and to the Ministry of Agriculture Department of forestry in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The information gathered were analyzed and presented in percentages. From the analysis, the resea ... Continue reading---
