Role of women in wildlife development in Oyo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was carried out in some selected communities nearer to natural resources and protected areas in Oyo State. These are Sepeteri and Igboho that shared boundaries with Old Oyo National Park; Asejire and Oranyan markets nearer to Olokemeji forest via Ibadan. The activities considered are general information on occupation, income generation, cooperatives, association, societies, and general awareness with respect to wildlife in natural protected areas. The study revealed that there are significant (P<0.05) relationship in variables with respect to conservation) and resource utilization in the areas. While demographic relationships (religion, age and occupation) were not significant (P>0.05) to resource utilization; and there are strong awareness (76%) about wildlife protection among women in the state.

It was therefore deduced from the aforementioned that women involvement in wildlife conservation, and their contribution to the development has useful impact in terms of culture, norms, occupation, awareness, and organizational structure of the communities considered. In conclusion, it was suggested that government should involve community women in rural community participation, provide infrastructural facilities and set up awareness programme which would convince them to use natural resources justifiably.


Key words: Natural resources, wildlife, development, women, conservation.


[JEXT Vol.3 2002: 59-63]