Influence of Culture on Greening the Environment in the Southern Part of Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behaviour of inhabitants of Ido local government area (LGA) of Southern part of Nigeria in relation to tree planting, tree conservation and forest management within their locality. 250 households were randomly selected among the houses with trees around, while structured questionnaires were administered among the selected household heads. Majority of the households (71.1%) indicated reasons for conserving trees within their domain which are inculcated in their cultures while others plant trees to landscape their environments. Among the tree species planted in the area includes Azadiracta indica, Threoboma cacao, Pinus radiata, Mangifera indica, Terminalia catappa and various medicinal plants. Study further revealed that the households uses these trees to protect their environment from degradation and loss of soil biodiversity, also the households always converge under the shades of these trees to solve their problems in their cultural ways. Sacred groves used for spiritual, rituals and initiation purposes were also sighted in the area. It is suggested that people should not undermine their culture and that culture should be transmitted from generation-togeneration for it may help in achieving a greener future at local and national levels.