Conservation Conflicts in Protected Areas in Nigeria: Case Study of Kainji Lake National Park
Abstract
The exploitation of natural resources in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) had led to conservation conflicts within the environment. Information on conservation conflicts in the park is sparse. Thus, conservation conflicts around KLNP environment were assessed. A total of 600 structured questionnaires using simple randomized sampling technique were used, 40 copies were administered in each of the 15 communities sampled. Data were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result revealed that, conservation policies were poorly implemented, only 48% of the people were involved in decision making and 52% excluded. Four causes of conflict were identified: poaching (40%), deforestation (35%), overgrazing (14%) and agricultural practices (11%). Conflict evidence evaluated indicated 80.6% and 19.4% claimed ignorance of conflicts in the study area. ANOVA for conflicts indicated high conflicts with the natural resources of the park. Similarly, the ANOVA for incidence and absence of conflict in the park showed that conflicts have become common phenomena in KLNP environment. Hence, management measures like rural livelihood programs and awareness campaign were suggested to reduce the overdependence of the people on the natural resources and to militate against conservation conflicts in KLNP.
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