Survey of forest conservation features in Benue state, Nigeria

Abstract

The survey investigated the forest conservation features in Benue State, Nigeria, to provide baseline information for improved forest conservation efforts in the State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 10 out of 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State for the study. Three hundred respondents from 150 households in the 10 LGAs were selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Five forest conservation features (forests, special objects, rivers, hills and shrines/sacred groves) were recognized among the three ethnic groups studied. Twenty (20) conservation features were identified in Tiv land, 19 in Idoma land and 12 in Igede land. Apart from rivers and special objects, no significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in the mean number of respondents that recognized these forest conservation features across the ethnic groups studied. It was recommended that the conservation features in the State should be promoted and developed for more effective conservation of forest resources in Benue State.

Keywords: Conservation Features, Multi-stage, Hills, Rivers, Shrines, Sacred Groves