-
The Level Of Community Participation In The Conservation Of Natural Resources
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 2]
Page 2 of 2
-
-
-
To maximize the chances of sustainable conservation initiatives, rural
communities need to be involved in both the concept and approach. This
means that participation in decision-making process and in the
evaluation, monitoring and management of resources and the environment
is crucial.
This inclusiveness is more likely to build a conservation
ethics where people understand that their livehood depends on healthy
maintenance of the environment.
Many studies have shown community
participation to be one of the critical empowerment of success is
irrigation, livestock, water, forestry and agriculture projects (Sharp,
1984) community participation has become therefore very important to
scholars, organizations and Nations. For instance, Ajake (1998) remarked
that participation has been used to justify the extension of state
forest control as well as the building of local capacity and
self-reliance. It has been used to justify decision imposed by external
agencies as well as describe the process of developing real power and
decision making.
Experience has shown that participation grows more
out of practical than normative considerations. One of the most
expensive forestry programmes with community participation is that
operated by village forestry associations in South Korea (AHN 1978;
Eckholm, 1979) and the afforestation sub-project in Nepal (World Bank,
1975). Other experiences include community conservation in Tsavo West
National park, Kenya where the local communities are involved and have
benefited from conservation of protected areas. A reforestation project
in Senegal gained impressive results as Senegal forest service works in
rural community and councils providing them with inputs, while the
village councils contribute labour to plant trees. Income generated from
the sale of wood was used by the council according to its own
priorities (Uphoft, 1986).
The need for communities to invest in
natural resources conservation and to reduce the effect of environmental
degradation is indisputable in Nigeria and particularly in Akamkpa
Local Government Area of Cross River State. The people in the study area
are highly dependent on forest ecosystem for its diverse and abundant
Natural wildlife, land, food and water resources. The importance of
these resources has caused indigenous people to diverse way of managing
them sustainably. But evidence has shown that the activities of the
rural people are not given consideration. In research and government
policies and decisions on the management of Natural resources neglects
their activities in the study area.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 2]
Page 2 of 2
-
