Biodiversity

Biography

Biography: Wahab Munir Karounwi Adegoke

Abstract

This paper draws the attention to the major threats to nature conservation in Nigeria (Oba Hill Forest reserve) and reviews critically the measures needs to be adopted for the protection of wildlife resources in Oba hill forest reserve, Osun State, Nigeria. The major problems include habitat degradation (through uncontrolled logging, agricultural projects, highway and urban development, exploitation for fuelwood, over hunting and poaching. Relevant data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered in seven (7) sampled communities’ areas within the study site. The villages were purposely chosen due to their proximity to the forest reserve. Random sampling technique methods were used to analyze one hundred and five (105) respondents randomly selected and interviewed. The necessary steps need to take so far to protect wildlife in this reserve include making it to be a national park, enactment of wildlife laws, signing it of international treaties and manpower empowerment development. These measures have however failed to produce the desired effect owning largely to public apathy, low level of funding, inadequate game laws and weak enforcement of existing legal provisions. Summarily, it is suggested that the federal Government should intervene more positively in favour of creating not eating more national parks and assuming joint responsibility with the state Government for formulating wildlife laws. In addition, the role of non- governmental agencies/organization in influencing conservation policies and mobilizing public opinion will be crucial in the difficult years ahead.