Perception and Involvement of Major Stakeholders in Forest Protection in Ondo State, Nigeria

This study examined the perception and involvement of major forest stakeholders in the protection of forest reserves in Ondo state, Nigeria. The forest estate in the country has continued to diminish very fast through deforestation and over exploitation of forest resources. There is however the need to stop this ugly trend through proper protection of the forest by involving other forest stakeholders in forest protection. To achieve this objective four forest reserves were randomly selected Three communities close to each forest reserve were randomly selected to make a total of 12 communities. 20 household heads were randomly selected in each of the selected communities to make a total of 240 respondents. 20 forestry personnel working in each of the selected forest reserves were randomly selected. In addition seven timber contractors in each of the selected forest reserve were purposively selected. The results of the study showed that 52.3% and 71.3% of local community dwellers and timber contractors respectively perceived that the forests are not well protected. 63.5% of the forestry personnel perceived that the forest is partially protected. The results further showed that forestry personnel are involved in the protection of the forest by being involved in forestry extension, monitoring of timber contractors and through constant patrol of the forest reserves. Chi-square test (p>0.05) shows that economic status of forest community dwellers and timber contractors do not have any significant association with their involvement in the protection of the forest in the study area. The State forestry Department will do well by organizing training programmes for forest guards and workshops for forest community dwellers and timber contractors in order to improve their involvement in forest protection in the study area.