An assessment of the impact of human activities on wild birds and fishes in Dagona Waterfowl Sanctuary, Nigeria

Abstract

Natural resources management and conservation has been a persistent theme in discourse of human survival and environmental development. Conservation means the sustainable use and protection of natural resources. It is also seen as the process through which natural resources are  managed to allow partial or total exploitation for individual, community, or commercial use without jeopardizing the long-term ability of the  resource base for future generations with minimal environmental damages. The study employed systematic sampling techniques in selecting the respondents for the interview. The selection was based on the settlement arrangement in the study site as sampling frame. The structured  questionnaires were administered to the respondents with aid of research assistant for proper interpretation of the questionnaire to local language (Bade). The study found that there were different bird species both native and migratory birds from Europe and other parts of the world. The use of these birds includes tourism, source of meat, income and beautification of the natural environment. Farming hunting and fishing remain the dominant economic activities that provide income, food and tourism in the area. Hunting and fishing reduces the number as well as the  composition of birds and fish species in the area. Protopterrus annectens and Egretta garzetta were the dominant fish and bird species respectively. A lot of efforts were made to conserve and protect the waterfowl against natural and anthropogenic effects from national and international  environmental concern organizations.

Key words: natural resource, human activities impact, wild birds, fishes, Dagona Waterfowl Sanctuary