Assessment of Forest Management Institutions and Their Initiatives in the Rainforest Communities of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated forest management institutions and their initiatives in the rainforest communities of Cross River State. Data were collected through questionnaire survey and participatory research methodologies. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result of the analysis reveals that community forest management institutions and their initiatives have significant influence on forest ecosystem management than other institutions such as government and non-governmental organizations. The study discovered that community forest management institutions were rated very high in terms of sustainable harvesting techniques, encouragement of forest reservation and monitoring of forest management programmes among others. The other institutions were rated low in their influence on forest management. Based on these findings, the study suggested some remedial measures that will ensure sustainable forest management in the area, such as partnership forest management, alternative income generation opportunities and holistic consideration of the forest lands during management.