Monetary Valuation of Selected Forest Products in Andoni

Abstract

Forest products are materials gotten from forest, for the direct consumption or commercial use such as timber and non-timber forest products. The destruction of forest in Andoni due to the exploration and consumption of forest products are done without determining the values of these products that could have been lost. This study attempts to determine the value of identified forest products information gathered through the use of questionnaire focus group discussion, field survey and other related materials. The simple percentage analysis shows that forest products have a lot of value to the people; hence community dwellers involved in it. Conclusively, forest product were identified and categorized into wildlife species (wild animal) and plant species which usefulness were been influenced by socio-external factor, economical factor and livelihood security factor. The economic value of forest product in a study area is N532,351,300.00 while the expected value is N865,648,300.00. Therefore, the government at all levels should provide indiscriminate exploitation of premature forest product policy on forest management that are appropriate. These should be made to effectively reflect and enhance forest protection and improvement of livelihood of the people.