Challenges of Participatory Approach to Watershed Management in Rural Communities of Enugu State

Abstract

The study highlights the status of existing watersheds management in four rural communities of Enugu State. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches (Rapid Rural Appraisal, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interview schedules) were used in an interactive manner to collect data for this study from four rural communities in the state. The study revealed that many problems such as fuel wood exploitation, farming activities, animal grazing/hunting, and road/house construction, among others were factors threatening the sustainability of watersheds in Enugu State. The study also showed that many of the communities had rules and regulations guiding the use of watersheds but could not apply the principle of participatory management approach to ensure sustainability of the watersheds. However, the rules and regulations merely emphasized environmental sanitation of the watershed surroundings without ensuring the overall sustainability of the watersheds. The paper concludes with the need for public and private extension services to educate key actors in rural communities on the sustainability of using participatory watershed management approach.