EVALUATION OF FOREST POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN GASHAKA- GUMTI NATIONAL PARK, SERTI, TARABA STATE

Abstract

Several forest policies exist in GGNP. However, the extent of its implementation is not known and documented and hence the need for this study. A purposive sampling technique with 100 respondents were selected as follows; 40 farmers, 10 hunters, 15 State forestry staff, 10 LG forestry staff and 25 Park officials with only 95 retrieved due to re-location. Data generated were analyzed using simple percentages. The result on age, 2(2.1%), 1-15years; 23(24.2%), 16-30 years; 45(47.4%), 31-45years; 20(21%), 46-60years; 5(5.3%), above 61years. Sex, 75(78.9%), males; 20(21.1%), females. Marital status, 20(21%), singles; 65(68.5%), married; 10(10.5%), widowed. Educational status, 5(5.3%), each had both Quranic
and Adult education, 10(10.5%) had primary and secondary education, 45(47.4%) tertiary education. Household size, 5 (5.3%), 0; 10 (10.5%) 4-6 and above 7, 70(73.7%), 1-3(Table 1.1). Result on forest policies had; Compounding of offenses detected on exploitation, Exploitation based on allocation; Selective exploitation, Rational and control harvesting on sustainable basis, Protection of endangered wildlife and tree species through special permit rates, Regeneration at par with exploitation, payment on permit basis for every tree fell in free area (Table 1.2). Rating level of implementation had; 80(84.2%) rated low (0-35%), 10 (10.5%) rated moderate ( 36-75% ) while 5(5.3%) rated high( 76-100%)(Table 1.3).
The result on major constraints showed; lack of finance, shortage of skilled personnel and staff; lack of effective supervision, co-ordination and control, ill-equipped forestry institutions to carry their functions, political instability (Table 1.4). Based on the above; adequate funding, strict forest policy implementation and compliance, recruitment of qualified skilled personnel and staff, effective supervision, co-ordination and control, continuity in policies, provision of functional equipments and patrol vehicles are recommended.