An assessment of the management of Osun Osogbo world heritage site.

Abstract

An assessment of Osun Osogbo World Heritage site was carried out to investigate the management effectiveness and threats facing the grove. The primary data collection tool of the Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM) methodology is the rapid assessment questionnaire. The questionnaire covers part of the international evolution framework developed by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). The questionnaire emphasizes on legal status, monitoring, planning, and utilization of resources and implementation of critical management activities. The assessment questionnaires were distributed to the staff; National Commission for Museum and Monument, Osogbo, Osun State Tourism Board and the Ministry of Culture andTourism. In scoring the various elements of management effectiveness (e.g., biological importance, primary, inputs and processes), respondents replied to statement with a “Yes”, mostly Yes” “mostly no” or “no” responses. Strength, where 60% or more respondents answered “yes” or “mostly yes”; weakness, 60% or more respondents answered “no”or “mostly no”. The results of the study showed that three management issues emerged that influenced the grove management weaknesses: funding (94.4%), transportation (82.4%), infrastructure i.e. field equipments etc (83.3%). The threats recorded from the study include bush burning, fishing, poaching and encroachment, road constructionaround the grove. Identification of the most delicate issues in protected areas and adequate assessment of management effectiveness will improve protected areas management. Concerted policy effort to address the most pervasive and widespread threats would probably result in drastic improvements to the grove.