Deforestation Causes, Effects, and Control Strategies
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1)The main objective of the study is to evaluate the effect and proximate causes of deforestation
2) to ascertain the causes of deforestation
3) to examine the effect of deforestation
4) to evaluate the benefit of stopping deforestation
CHAPTER TWO
literature review
The use of the term “deforestation” at times is associated with distortion of forestry issues. It is used to denote activities that use the forest, for instance, felling of wood for fuel, commercial logging and activities associated with temporary removal of forest cover such as slash and burn techniques which is a major component of shifting cultivation agricultural systems or clear cutting. It is equally used to describe clearing of forest for grazing or ranching (Mfon et al 2014). Also, an activity such as the establishment of industrial plantation may be considered as deforestation by some people while others will view it as afforestation. Accordingly, it is imperative for one to specify what is meant by deforestation in order to reduce all forms of ambiguity. Therefore, many specific terms such as forest decline, forest fragmentation and degradation, loss of forest cover and land use conversions are used (Wikipedia, 2008)
For instance FAO considers a plantation of trees established primarily for timber production to be forest and therefore does not classify natural forest conversion to plantation as deforestation (but still records it as a loss of natural forests). However, FAO does not consider free plantation that provides non-timber products to be forest although they do classify rubber plantations forest (Chakravarty et al 2012)
According to Mfon et al (2014) there are three major schools of thought associated with the causes of deforestation. The first is the impoverishment school which is of the opinion that, the major cause of deforestation is the increase in the number of poor people; that is small holders are the principal agents of deforestation. The second school is the neoclassical group which believes that, deforestation is caused by open access property rights that is, there are various agents with respect to deforestation. The third school is the political ecology group which believes that, deforestation is caused by capitalist entrepreneur.
World Deforestation Pattern
Extensive tropical deforestation is a relatively modern event that gained momentum in the 20th century and particularly in the last half of the 20th century. The FAO 2001 reports indicate considerable deforestation in the world during 1990-2010 but this was almost entirely confined to tropical regions. (Chakravarty et al 2012). Rowe et al (1992) estimated that 15 percent of the world’s forest was converted to other land uses between 1850 and 1980. Deforestation occurred at the rate of 9.2million hectares per annum from 1980-1990, 16million hectares per annum from 1990-2000 and decreased to 13million hectares per annum from 20002010 (Chakravarty et al 2012). The net change in forest area during the last decade was estimated at – 5.2milliom hectares per year or 140km2 of forest per day.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The methodologies used in this research work are, in the main, doctrinal or library research in nature. The doctrinal method of the research, which is mainly theory-based, would enable this writer to consult, refer to, review, study and fill the gaps in the works of authors, contained in textbooks, journals, and the internet.
DATA SOURCES
The data collected through library research in which the researcher reads, writes and gathers pertinent information related to the topic of this project. After having information from relate d documents such as international legal instrument, books, scientific journals, and others regarding the main problem as the object of this research, then the researcher tries to make conclusion.
Population of study
The target population for this study comprised of multinational companies in Nigeria. There is no current document specifying the figure for the total number of MNC in Nigeria, however it suffice to say that there are over 100 mnc in Nigeria.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT AND ANALYSIS
Causes of Deforestation in Nigeria
Distinguishing between the agents of deforestation and its causes is very important in order to understand the major determinants of deforestation (Chakravarty et al 2012). The agents of deforestation are those slash and burn farmers, ranchers, loggers, firewood collectors, infrastructure developers and others who are cutting down the forest. Causes of deforestation are the forces that motivate the agents to clear the forests. (Chakravarty et al 2012).
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
Deforestation in Nigeria has been mainly attributed to the grassroots poor people who means of survival were basically embedded in the forests but on the other hands are been denied access to these resources. Other agents of forest depletion are mainly developmental projects oriented. Persistent deforestation is further compounded by the fact that majority of the Nigerian populace lacked in-depth knowledge of the consequences of deforestation. Ways of reducing deforestation must therefore go hand in hand with improving the welfare and environmental knowledge of the populace otherwise they would fail. General or permanent solutions and strategies would remain elusive since these will vary with region and will change over time. Notwithstanding, all strategies require cooperation and good will. Effectives implementation is essential, including stakeholders participation, development of management plans, monitoring and enforcement of the strategies should be such that on one hand they should recognize the critical roles of governments at the three levels of administration and on the other hand empower the civil society and the private sector to take a pro-active role in reducing deforestation, and should always work in conjunction with government.
References
- Aderounmu, A., Akarue, J. and Ette, M (1992). A Forest was here Newswatch Magazine 16 (24) Lagos, Newswatch Communication Ltd.
- Akachuku, A.C (2007). Disappearing Forests: The Consequences and Challenges of Sustainable Development in Nigeria. In proceedings of 31st Annual Conference of the Forestry Association of Nigeria held in Markurdi, Benue State Nigeria, 20th -25th November 2006 pp 48-61
- Aliyu, A, Modibbo, M.A, Medugu, N.I. and Ayo. O. (2014). Impacts of Deforestation on socioEconomic Development of Akwanga Nasarawa State. International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology 3 (2) pp 403 – 416
- Amor. D. and Pfaff, A. (2008). Early History of the impact of the Road Investment on Deforestation in the Mayan Forest. Working Paper, Nicholas School of the Environment and Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durhan NC USA
