Conservation Awareness Strategies and Threats Affecting Sha-Sha Forest Reserve Management, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria's protected areas, the most bio-diverse environments in the country's development are under threat from various pressures; land encroachment, illegal poaching, excessive deforestation, and inadequate funds for the management and enforcement of laws. The study investigated the level of awareness and threats to the Sha-Sha Forest Reserve (SFR) biodiversity conservation. Random sampling methods were employed to obtain information through the administration of one hundred and twenty (120) structured questionnaire surveys, a selective focal point interview, and field observation. Likert-type measure methods were employed to determine the level of disagreement and agreement responses on perceptions besides attitudes of local people towards effective conservation awareness (moderation methods), and management approaches on wildlife conservation by the residents. Data were examined through descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive outcomes reveal that most respondents are middle-aged, married, educated, male, and Islamic faithful, with large household sizes. Respondents were aware of ownership, threats, challenges, and potential future use of SFR, but observed weak conservation education and participation in conservation strategies among the respondents. Correlation analysis results revealed a weak significant relationship between age and marital status, negative and apparent threats to effective conservation, while a positive correlation is established in educational status and apparent threats to effective conservation. Also, there is a weak correlation between educational status and apparent participation by the community in forest conservation; while a positive significant association is shown between age and the seeming contribution of the public in forest management of the reserve. The study concluded that there is instability or unproductive conservation awareness among the inhabitants of the forest reserve, thus a sustainable empowerment program should be recommended to all stakeholders to boost people’s livelihoods around the forest reserve for effective conservation.