Abstract
Deforestation is described as changes in the structure and composition of an area of forest after there has been some form of human intervention such as firewood, charcoal and logging. The study examined impact of internally displaced persons (IDPs) on forest and vegetation cover of Jere L.G.A. of Borno State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent of impact of deforestation and depletion of vegetation cover caused by displaced persons to forest of Jere L.G.A. and also identifies the socio-economic needs of the displaced persons in camps. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were generated through field observation and focused group discussion with displaced persons, while the secondary data was obtained from relevant available literature. Findings revealed that about 12 square kilometers of forest and vegetation cover were destroyed by displaced persons. The Findings also revealed that displaced persons engaged in cutting of trees for shelter, firewood, charcoal and debarking trees for medicinal purpose to earn money. The study revealed displaced persons conditioned in camps are deplorable far from the ideal situation. The study concluded that environmental impact assessment should be incorporated in the strategies for displaced persons welfare before their arrival. The study recommended that host governments, humanitarian agencies and NGOs should support the living conditions of displaced persons through socio-economic, education, skill and vocational training development that promotes lifelong learning opportunities.Keywords: Displaced persons, Deforestation, Vegetation, Firewood and Charcoal
Highlights
Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced due to conflict every year globally (UNHCR, 2010)
The definition of internally displaced persons (IDPs) use in this study was based on the working description of the United Nation Guiding Principles on Internally Displacement: Internally displaced persons are persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human right or natural or human-made disaster, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized state border (Oucho, 2007)
In Borno State, two thirds of the 27 Local Government Areas were affected by the insurgency and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had registered about 111,388 displaced persons in 11 camps (SEMA, 2016)
Summary
Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced due to conflict every year globally (UNHCR, 2010). Boko Haram insurgency has become the major problem facing Nigerians in the present time These groups have perpetrated several bombings that have killed thousands of innocent citizens of this country, Nigeria and caused destruction of both private and public properties worth billions of naira. Deforestation is any activity that disrupts the natural ecology of forest as a result of agricultural, social and economic activities carried out in the name of development Ibrahim et al, (2015). It affects economic activity of forest depended people by reducing the supply of forest products and causes. Income earning opportunities were very difficult most of them were farmers and firewood sellers without access to land nor do they possess alternative skills to earn a decent living
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