COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN FOREST CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN HADEJIA NATIONAL PARK (BATURIYA WETLANDS), JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0910-3704Keywords:
Conservation, Forests, Livelihoods, Local Communities, Participation, WetlandsAbstract
Community participation has become a central strategy in forest and environment management, particularly in areas where local livelihoods depend on natural resources. This study looks at the nature and extent of community involvement in the protection and management of the Baturiya wetland, focusing on the five neighbouring municipalities of Kadera, Abunabo, Musari, Baturiya and Chachamnau. Using a mixed methodology, data were collected from 100 respondents (75 male and 25 female) through structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative answers were coded by thematic means. The results show a moderate but uneven level of participation. Baturiya and Musari showed the most interest, given their proximity to the park offices and previous efforts. Chachamnau, on the other hand, showed low participation, hampered by poor awareness and weak institutional links. Component-wise, chi-square analysis confirms a significant variation in the average participation rate between communities . Awareness of conservation initiatives is generally high, but awareness of policies and formal roles in forest management is still low. The main benefits of participation have been accessing to non-timber forest products, training and improved relations with local communities. The main obstacles were lack of motivation, exclusion of women and poor communication with the authorities on vandalism. The findings highlight the need for formalised community-based protection structures, targeted training programmes, gender mainstreaming strategies and benefit-sharing mechanisms. Reinforcing these areas could increase local ownership of conservation initiatives, ensure fair participation and promote sustainable forest management...
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jibrin Gambo, Abdulmajid Abubakar, Abubakar Ahmed, Umar Muhammad Madaka, Yusuf Ahmed Yusuf, Bashir Sabo Babura, Suleiman Muktari Muhammad, Maryam Babangida Adam
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