ASSESSMENT OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS’ PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION OF VANISHING RAINFOREST IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed rural household participation in conservation of vanishing rainforest in Delta State, Nigeria. A sample of 270 households were selected through multistage random sampling techniques. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The regression estimates of socio-economic determinants to participation in rainforest conservation showed that the coefficients and t-values (in parenthesis) of age 0.042 (0.707) was positive and significant at 10%. It implied that the youths and elderly can participate in conservation programmes when involved. Educational status 0.075 (2.861), forest association membership 0.057 (1.045), and land ownership 0.244 (2.104) were positive and significant at 0.05 while engagement in forest activities 0.665 (-.319) and forest income 0.735 (-3.198) were negative and significant at 0.05. Exclusion from making forest policies and neglect of indigenous knowledge of rural communities were the major constraints to rural household participation in rainforest conservation. Recommendations include education and enlightenment to change the orientation of rural households toward rainforest conservation; rural households should be involved in every plan to restore the rainforest since they are the major culprits of deforestation activities.