Commercialization as a Tool for the Conservation of Environmental Resources

Bo Adeleke,K Ogunsusi

doi:10.4314/jasem.v22i5.25

Abstract

The primary objective of the paper is to report the survey of environmental resources conducted in Ode-Irele forest using two staged technique. This study was framed within the model that sustainable management of environmental resources is a consequence of heavy reliance on subsistence extraction of resources. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages. The result reveals that 65% of the respondents hunted wild animals for food, 62% also traded in wild animals and their products, 69% traded in natural honey, and 86% also traded in medicinal plants. 92% of respondents were involved in collecting wood for use and sale, while 92% were also involved in trade in wild fruits. Most of the respondents, who hunted animals for food, traded in wild animals and their products, natural honey, medicinal plants, wild fruits and those who also collected firewood for use and sale also conserved trees on their farms for the continued availability of the resources. Sustainable use of environmental resources by local residents in natural forested areas could only be achieved if they realize that continued availability of the resources is dependent upon the wise use and most importantly the conservation of the resources.

Highlights

The conservation of natural resources especially nontimber forest products (NTFPs) in privately owned lands can be used for sustained economic development, wealth creation and alleviation of poverty especially in the rural communities in tropical forests (Olaniyi et al, 2013; Farinola et al, 2014; Lindsey and Madigosky, 2014; Roberto et al, 2014; Dhakal, 2016)
Use of NTFPs is not limited to commercialization because gathering and utilization of NTFPs has been used for scientific investigations (Keca et al, 2013)
NTFPs are important in local, national and international markets especially when they are sustainably and continuously available. Information on these resources, their harvests, methods of processing and trade is scarce and dispersed (Lintu, 1986). For this purpose the study focused on assessing the commercial uses to which environmental resources are put by rural communities and the management efforts geared towards sustainable utilization and conservation of the environmental resources

Summary

Introduction

The conservation of natural resources especially nontimber forest products (NTFPs) in privately owned lands can be used for sustained economic development, wealth creation and alleviation of poverty especially in the rural communities in tropical forests (Olaniyi et al, 2013; Farinola et al, 2014; Lindsey and Madigosky, 2014; Roberto et al, 2014; Dhakal, 2016). Trees and associated environmental resources are becoming scarce, resulting in a state of imbalance between what rural households need and what they can obtain This poses a threat to sustainable use and management of forest resources (Oyekale and Ajesi, 2011). NTFPs are important in local, national and international markets especially when they are sustainably and continuously available Information on these resources, their harvests, methods of processing and trade is scarce and dispersed (Lintu, 1986). For this purpose the study focused on assessing the commercial uses to which environmental resources are put by rural communities and the management efforts geared towards sustainable utilization and conservation of the environmental resources

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion