Ensuring people's participation in social forestry

Abstract

This paper examines the important role of social forestry in the reduction or alleviation of rural poverty in Nigeria. Apart from involving the local communities in the fight against environmental problems like soil erosion, deforestation, pollution, it is also a veritable way of providing food for the rural people.

There are however factors militating against this concepts; these include poverty, and hunger, land tenure system and food production without a corresponding appreciation of the full prospects of tree growing.

To be able to reap the full benefits of social forestry, there is need to streamline and strengthen the information link between the local communities and the foresters so as to ensure the full participation of the rural people. Any pattern of social forestry introduced in any area must take into consideration the bio-physical and environmental conditions of the community. The existing land tenure system that does not favour the generality of the people should be reviewed.

Social forestry is people oriented programme and for it to succeed and be meaningful, people's participation is the very key factor and should be solicited.


Key words: people's participation, social forestry, tree planting.


[JEXT Vol.3 2002: 3-6]