Abstract
Purpose: The study evaluates participation of stakeholders in sustainable management of Odun Forest Reserve, a government owned reserve located in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. The reserve is under the management of the State Forestry Department with dominance of Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea. 
 Methodology: Stakeholders selected for this study include the rural dwellers, the timber contractors and designated staff of the Kwara State Department of Forestry. Structured questionnaire was used for collection of primary data.
 Findings: The products collected in the reserve include timber, firewood and leaves. Majority of the rural dwellers did not participate in the decision making relating to Odun Forest Reserve (87,5%), prevention of illegal exploitation (80,0%) and in the management of Odun Forest Reserve. Concerted efforts are required by the State Forestry Department to involve the local stakeholders in the management.
 Research Limitation: Entry into the reserve is by authorization or payment of levy to the Department of Forestry.
 Originality: The development of the area as a whole will eventually enable the realization of the goal of sustainable forest reserve management. Participation will give the stakeholders the sense of ownership necessary for sustainability and protection against illegal activities.
Highlights
Stakeholders’ participation in forest governance plays an important role in forest resources management (Arnold, 2001; Sackey, 2007; Beaudoin et al, 2015; Shrestha and Shrestha, 2017; Overdevest and Zeitlin, 2018)
On the level of education, 80% of the timber contractor and 60% of the rural dwellers went to primary school while 20% of the contractor and 35% of the rural dwellers attended secondary school as highest education
The study assessed participation of stakeholders in management of Odun Forest Reserve located in Kwara State Nigeria
Summary
Stakeholders’ participation in forest governance plays an important role in forest resources management (Arnold, 2001; Sackey, 2007; Beaudoin et al, 2015; Shrestha and Shrestha, 2017; Overdevest and Zeitlin, 2018). An outsized number of studies exists which have documented stakeholder’s participation and involvement in forest resources management, further investigation remains needed so as to raised understand and supply more information on stakeholders participation in forest management at the grass root level (Marfo, 2004). Stakeholder participation was described as a process of institutional arrangements in which stakeholders are actively involved in different levels of management (including: decision making, planning activities, projects and programs designs) of forest resources. The reserve provides vegetation cover and support environment. Most of these forest reserves in the state are under high level of degradation. The degradation was as result of various level of depletion resulting from farming, over exploitation of the reserve for timber by timber contractor’s, frequent fire outbreak and other illegal activities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
