E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management

E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management Vol. 5 (5) pp. 081-086, May 2014; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2141-7466

Assessment of socio-economic activities and sustainable rural development in Oba hill forest reserve, Osun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Structured questionnaire was administered in five (5) sample communities around the boundary buffer zone of the Oba Hill Forest Reserve. The villages were chosen at random due to their proximities to the reserve. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on the effective pattern of managing a protected area and sustainable rural development. A total of one hundred (100) respondents were randomly selected and interviewed. The assessment observed that the inhabitants of the communities depend heavily on the reserve for a variety of natural resources 60% while their village livestock compete intensively for grazing (45%). The study revealed that the inhabitants of the villages or surrounding the reserve land engaged in serious farming 60% while the inhabitant of some villages utilized the park for hunting. The study revealed that serious human degradation is directly affecting the management and conservation strategies employed by the state towards preservation of the biodiversity in the protected site. In summary, effective protection measures should be employed towards sustainable conservation management of the biodiversity resources in this protected reserve by the State of Osun ministry of environment.

Keywords: Assessment; Socio-economic activities; Sustainable Rural Development; Oba Hill Forest Reserve; Protected Area