Assessment of Community Participation in Forest Conservation in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the role of community participation in forest conservation in Ekiti State, Nigeria, focusing on the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, their level of participation, factors influencing community participation in forest conservation and the challenges they face. Primary data were collected from 90 respondents from three different Local Government Areas through a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that community participation in forest conservation was limited, with many respondents not actively involved in conservation efforts. Key factors influencing community participation included level of education, forest policy awareness, and land ownership. Conversely, major obstacles to effective participation were identified as lack of awareness and education, inadequate institutional frameworks, and limited access to technology and resources. The study concluded that the level of community participation in forest conservation in the study area is not encouraging; level of education, forest policy awareness and land ownership were the factors responsible for community participation in forest conservation in the study area and that lack of awareness and education, inadequate institutional framework and limited access to technology and resources were the challenges to community participation in forest conservation in the study area. To address these challenges, the study recommends the development of awareness and education programs, strengthening of institutional frameworks, and provision of access to technology and resources. These initiatives would support community-led forest conservation efforts and enhance community participation in forest conservation, ultimately contributing to sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation in Ekiti State, Nigeria.