Assessment of Afforestation and Reforestation Efforts by Forestry Department, Ministry of Environment, Imo State

Abstract

The study examined Afforestation and Reforestation Efforts by the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Environment with the use of data collected from both primary and secondary sources. Seventy copies of well structured questionnaire were administered to respondents in 11 charges in the Department to elicit information on afforestation and reforestation efforts by the department. Data were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistic of frequency, percentage and inferential statistic using ANOVA. Results showed that 100% of the respondents affirmed the existence of afforestation and reforestation in the State. There were significant difference (P<0.05) among afforestation and reforestation activities, where the dominant activity was raising of seedlings. Permanent and temporary nurseries accounted for 61.43 and38.5% respectively. Gmelina arborea dominated the five timber species raised in the nurseries between the year 1985 and 2013. About 42.9% of the respondents were aware that deforestation had negative impacts on afforeatation and reforestation while 51.1% of the respondents were not aware not aware of the negative impacts. Results showed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) among the identified activities that impeded afforestation and reforestation, where agriculture was the dominant activity that impeded forest decline in the State. Results revealed that three principal forest policy objectives implemented by the State were delineation of forest reserves (DER), provision of fund (POF), and forest policy implementation which accounted for 28.59, 21.43 and 50% respectively. It is expedient that the government should fashion out policies on tree planting and establishment of a financial inducement and encouragement that will improve upon the forest status of the State.

Key: Afforestation, deforestation, forest Area, forest estates, reforestation.