Deforestation In Government Protected Areas: The Case Of Falgore Game Reservre, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper highlights the nature of deforestation in a government declared “protected area (Falgore Game Reserve)”. Field survey of the study area was undertaken and information on various anthropogenic activities noted. Meanwhile vegetation characteristics (species number, height, density, etc) were examined via intensive ground truthing. Such information gives an indication of the extent of deforestation, and equally provides a good basis for proper resource planning and sustainable management. The data obtained from this study revealed that the nature of the prevailing land use practices observed within the study area is rather complex in different plots. Thus it is apparent that the vegetation resource of the game reserve is subjected to deforestation via human activities such as grazing, farming, wood exploitation and economic exploitation of specific resources (fruits, leaves, etc) and even settlement by some farmers (permanent) and nomadic herdsmen (temporal). The intensity of these activities vary over different plots and invariably their effects on the considered vegetation characteristics. However, statistical analysis of the data between plots shows that those vegetation characteristics mostly affected by the prevalent nature of deforestation are species height and trunk diameter. This suggests rather a vegetation community of younger trees, that have not attained maturity. Thus it is evident that the Falgore game reserve though considered protected, preservation of flora and fauna in the area is seemingly threatened by deforestation. KEY WORDS: Deforestation, protected environment, sustainable management, vegetation characteristics, and anthropogenic activities. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(2) 2005: 257-263