global state loss of biodiversity conservation in imo ... · examine the protected areas in owerri...

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology Vol. 6 No. 7; August 2019

GLOBAL STATE LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN IMO

STATE, NIGERIA

DR. STANISLAUS ANABARAONYE OKEAHIALAM

Department of Estate Management

Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

+2348037960430

[email protected]

SABINA CHIAKA OSUJI

Department of Urban and Regional Planning

Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

+2348184022784

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Conservation of natural resources is vital for the sustenance of the ecological system and

biodiversity of a region. However, protected areas especially in the urban are being encroached

upon. This paper examines the protected areas and the need for the conservation of these resources

taking into consideration, the challenges these areas face. It highlights the need for proper planning

that will accommodate the existence and conservation of these protected areas including the stake

holders who are linked with these protected areas in order to ensure that development and

enforcement fall within stipulation. Data for the study were both from Primary and secondary

sources, mainly oral sources from oral interviews, direct observations, official records and private

papers. The stratified random and systematic sampling techniques were used in selecting data

collection. The result revealed that expansion has extended even to the periphery of the urban areas

due to massive development and urbanization as a result of population influx into the urban areas in

negligence of the initial master plan that took the protected areas into consideration. The study

recommended that stake holders should be enjoined to ensure that developers comply with the

provisions of the master plan, etc.

Key words: Protected Areas, Biodiversity Conservation, Planning, Urbanization.

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ISSN: 2313-3759 www.ijsrit.com

1. INTRODUCTION

Protected areas are those clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed

through legal or other effective means to achieve the long term conservation of nature with

associated ecosystem services and cultural values (IUCN, 2008, Znasmenskiy, 2014). They are

those areas in which human occupation or exploitation of resources are limited or entirely

forbidden. They are designated with the main objective of conserving biodiversity. There are

several kinds of protected areas which vary by their levels of protection depending on the enabling

law of the land or the regulations of the international organisation involved. They include marine

protected areas; the boundaries of which include some areas of the ocean and trans-boundary

protected areas which overlap several countries that remove the boarders inside the areas for

conservation and economic purposes.Others include cultural, spiritual and religious places

(Imasuen, Oshodi and Onyeobi 2013).

Protected areas can take many forms such as national parks, wilderness areas, community

conserved areas, natures reserves, public and private reserved areas. However, by the beginning of

the 20th

century, there were only a handful of protected areas in the world although many have

been in existence for generations. Today, there are approximately 200,000 protected areas in the

world covering about 14.6% of the worlds land and about 2.8% of the oceans (IUCN, 2014).

Tropical rain forest is the home of several species of plants. These plants knowingly or

unknowingly provide wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits to people and the

communities and therefore need to be protected.

Protected areas are on the decline all over the world. The reason for this decline has been attributed

to increased human activities on natural resources as a result of population explosion. As the

countries develop at a very rapid pace, pressure on the ecosystems and natural resources intensifies

and there becomes the dire need to protect and conserve these resources. The aim of this paper is to

examine the protected areas in Owerri urban, Imo State, Nigeria and the need for the preservation

or conservation of these resources taking into consideration the challenges these areas are facing.

The objectives of the study are as follows:-

1. To ascertain whether protected areas actually exist in Owerri urban, Imo State,

Nigeria.

2. To ascertain whether these protected areas are on the decline/loss.

3. To identify the cause(s) of the decline/loss.

4. To investigate the effect(s) of the decline/loss of protected areas in Owerri urban.

5. To proffer strategy (ies) that will ensure adequate protection of protected areas

in Owerri urban, Imo State, Nigeria.

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1.1. Research Questions: The following research questions guided the study.

1. Are there protected areas in Owerri urban.

2. Are the protected areas on the decline/loss.

3. What are the causes of the decline/loss of protected areas in Owerri urban.

4. What are the effect(s) of the decline/loss of protected areas in the study area.

5. What are the strategies that can be adopted to ensure adequate protection of the

protected areas in Owerri urban.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Loss of Protected Areas.

Because of the role protected areas play in the conservation of ecosystem and natural resources

(biodiversity), it has become an issue of urgent global concern. Science has discovered that the

genetic variety contained in wild species can relieve human sufferings and improve their quality of

life but the activities of exploding human population are degrading the environment at a very

alarming rate and diversity is being irreversibly diminished through extinction/loss as natural

habitats are destroyed (Ekpo, Asuquo and Akpabio, 2011 and Imasuen, Oshodi and Onyeobi,

2013). According to Imeht and Adebobola (2001), a considerable part of the nations forest

resources are destroyed through urbanization, industrialization, road construction, commerce,

agriculture and other activities on annual basis, thereby disturbing the ecological balance that

nature maintains with the living and non-living resources.

Generally, loss of protected areas and indeed biodiversity may lead to any or all of the following:-

1. Decline in plant production.

2. Lower resistance to environmental perturbation such as drought.

3. Increased variability in certain ecosystem processes such as plant production,

water use, pest and disease cycles, etc (IUCN 2008).

2.2. Categories of Protected Areas.

Protected areas are categorized by IUCN according to their management objectives. These

categories are recognized by international bodies and other national and international governments

as the global standard for defining protected areas. They are:-

Category 1a. This relates to strict natural reserve.

Category 1b. This relates to wilderness area.

Category II. This relates to national parks.

Category III. This relates to natural monument/features.

Category IV. This relates to habitat/specie management area.

Category V. This relates to protected landscape and seascape.

Category VI. This relates to protected areas with sustainable use of natural

resources.

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2.3. Causes of Loss/Decline of Protected Areas.

The reasons for the accelerated rate of loss/decline in protected areas the whole world is facing

today have been largely attributed to human activities (Ekpo, Asuquo and Akpabio 2011, and

Okafor, Ibeawuchi, Izuchukwu and Obiefuna, 2009). However, the major causes or threats to

protected areas according to Noonan-Mooney and Gibb (2012) are as follows:-

1. Habitat loss and fragmentation

2. Over-exploitation

3. Alien species invasion

4. Climate change

5. Pollution

IUCN (2014) added the sixth one as Co-extinction.

Habitat Loss (Deforestation and fragmentation): Habitat loss occurs when natural environments

are transformed or modified to serve human needs. It is the most significant cause of global loss of

protected areas and biodiversity. Habitat loss as stated by Hens and Boon (2003) is as a result of

the following:-

1. Cutting down forest for timber.

2. Opening/clearing of land for agriculture.

3. Draining wetlands for new developments.

4. Damming of rivers to make more water available for agriculture and cities.

The most dramatic example of habitat loss come from the tropical rain forest (Aju and Ezeibekwe,

2010). This region once covering about 14% of the earth's land surface now covers not more than

6% (IUCN, 2014). See Table 1 showing the significant impact of human activity on world

ecosystem.

Table 1: Human disturbance of habitats on world wide scale.

Total land

area (km2)

% part

disturbed

% part not

disturbed

% of human

dominated

Europe 5,759,321 19.6 15.6 64.9

Asia 53,311,557 27.0 43.5 29.5

Africa 33,985,316 35.8 48.9 15.4

North America 26,179,907 18.8 56.3 24.9

South America 20,120,346 22.5 62.5 15.1

Australia 9,487,262 25.8 62.3 12.0

Antarctica 13,208,983 0.0 100 0.0

source: Habitat and human disturbance by continent.

Habitat loss according to Noonan-Mooney and Gibb (2012), can also be caused by fragmentation

which occurs when part(s) of a habitat (local environment in which an organism is usually found)

are separated from one another because of change in landscape such as road construction. Though

some habitat loss is necessary to meet human needs, the overall resultant effect can be negative

when natural habitats are changed or modified with little or no concern for biodiversity

preservation.

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The most significant reason for habitat loss is population growth. The world's population was 6

billion by 1999, has more than trippled since 1960 and is expected to hit 8 billion by the year 2015

(Hens and Boon 2003). But this figure has already been surpassed (Wikipedia 2007). The fastest

growth is in Africa currently growing at an annual rate of 2.9%. See Table 2 showing the world

population projection up to the year 2150.

Table 2: World Population Projection up to the year 2150.

Year 1960 1990 2025 2100 2150

Population (Billion) 3.0 5.4 8.1 12.0 12.2

% in

Asia/Oceania 57.0 59.4 58.6 57.0 56.6

North and South America 13.3 13.7 12.8 11.0 10.8

Africa 9.2 11.9 20.9 23.9 24.5

Europe 20.5 15.0 7.7 8.1 7.9

Source: Human population growth by continent cited by Hens and Boon (2003).

The relationship between population size, growth and density on one hand and loss of natural

resources and ecosystem on the other hand is complex. There is no doubt that these factors lead to

pressure and destruction of or damage to terrestrial, aquatic and marine lives thereby affecting

biodiversity conservation.

Over-exploitation: Human beings depend on nature for survival. But when “need” turns to

“greed” it leads to over-exploitation of natural resources. Therefore when species are removed at a

rate faster than they can be replenished over a long time, the result is the decline or extinction of the

species. Many species extinction/loss in the last 50 years have been attributed to over-exploitation

by human activity. According to Duru and Chibo (2014), over-exploitation when combined with

intensive agricultural practices in order to meet the needs of the high population growth is a major

cause of loss of protected areas in almost all ecosystem. See fig. 1 Showing exploitation of timber

in the forest.

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Fig. 1. Exploitation of Timber in the Forest

Source: From Noonan-Mooney and Gibb (2012).

Climate Change: This is as a result of build-up of gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

It is one of the threats to the ecosystem in that when climate changes, there is alteration in the

pattern of ecosystem in which species have evolved and on which they depend on. By changing the

pattern and temperature living species are used to, climate change is also changing the traditional

ranges of species. This condition will therefore force the species to adapt to the new climate.

However, while some species may readily adapt to the new climatic condition, others may not and

will therefore die off.

Pollution: With regard to pollution, nutrients such as nitrogen is a growing threat to both land and

aquatic ecosystem. Even though large scale use of fertilizers has allowed for increase in food

production, it has also polluted the land, causing severe damage to plants. Other activities that have

polluted the environment thereby causing the death of plants include oil spillage and gas flaring as

a result of mining activities. Suffice it to state that each of these causes which may or may not

occur at the same time put tremendous pressure on the ecosystem.

2.4. Need for the Conservation of Protected Areas:

Because the diversity of biological species is the earth’s most important natural resources, there

is the need to preserve/conserve it. Human beings derive countless benefits from these species.

For example, green leaves, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen which we breath to live

during the process of photosynthesis. Also, plants produce medicines (Aju and Ezeibekwe, 2010),

fibre, paper, fire wood, timber for construction and industrial products such as dyes, resins,

lubricants, perfumes etc. Again the root system of plants along with other species such as worms,

fungi, soil bacteria, etc, regulate stream flows and ground water levels and recycle soil nutrients.

Plants also help in reducing the risks and consequences of extreme events of natural disaster such

as floods, storm surges, droughts, etc. (Imasuen, Oshodi and Onyeobi 2013). Protected areas

provide aesthetic, recreational and leisure values. They have also become instruments vital to

responding to today's pressing challenges such as disaster risk reduction and climate moderation.

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All these are free services which we enjoy from nature (Ekpo, Asuquo and Akpabio 2011 and

Okafor, Ibeawuchi, Izuchukwu and Obiefuna, 2009). In fact, protected areas have been a tried and

tested approach for many centuries to conserve nature and its associated ecosystem by

communities, indigenous people and the government. Therefore it is necessary to preserve and

protect it.

Protected areas are designated with the main purpose of conserving biodiversity. There are many

ways to conserve them. While some are obvious, others are not. They are grouped into two

methods namely: in situ and ex situ methods.

1. In-situ conservation method. In this method, the entire ecosystem is

protected in order to protect biodiversity at all levels. Efforts are concentrated

in maintaining plants and animal genetic resources in places where they

naturally occur (Ekpo, Asuquo and Akpabio 2011). This will ensure their natural

reproduction and regeneration.

2. Ex-situ conservation Method: In this method, threatened plants and animals are

taken away from their natural habitats and put in a special place (enclosure)

where they are protected and given special attention. Zoological gardens,

botanical gardens and wildlife parks serve this purpose (Imasuen, Oshodi and

Onyeobi, 2013). In fact, there are many animals that have become extinct but

are still maintained in the zoological gardens today. Nowadays it has gone beyond

keeping them in enclosures but rather their genes or gametes are preserved in

viable and fertile conditions. For example, by using cryopreservative techniques,

eggs can be fertilized invitro and plants can be propagated using tissue culture.

2.5. State of Protected Areas in Nigeria.

In Nigerian cities today, most of what we had in existence as cultural wealth and natural

environment have been wiped out as a result of urbanization. Before the advent of the colonial

masters our indigenous people had forest areas where human occupation or exploitation of

resources are limited or entirely forbidden. Such preserved areas could be shrines, forests or

streams. In Igbo land for example, there existed the “evil forests” where no form of human activity

is allowed except for dumping of the corpses of people who committed crimes forbidden by the law

of the land or those that died of sickness considered to be taboo. In those colonial days, many parts

of Nigeria were protected by law and designated as forest reserves. However, today, most of these

protected areas have been encroached upon and consequently de-reserved as a result of

urbanisation.

The categories of protected lands we have in Nigeria today are as follows:- National parks, Game

reserves, forest reserves, biosphere reserves, strict nature reserves and special ecosystems and

habitats (IUCN, 2014). In fact, the total forest area which are protected in Nigeria is about 9.1

million Km2 (Dada, Jibrin and Ijeoma (2006), quoted by Imasuen, Oshodi and Onyeobi,

(2013).This number constitutes 9.9% of the total land area. However, Since 1956, a good number

of national parks have been established. There are now 33 national parks/game reserves covering an

area of 4,293.778ha. These represents 4.65% of the land area. Also there exists 445 gazetted forest

reserves which cover about 10.3% of the land area. See tables 3, 4 and 5.

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Table 3: Forest Reserves and Plantations by State.

Source: Dada et-al (2006), cited by Imasuen, Oshodi and Onyeobi, (2013).

State Land area covered by forest

reserves (ha)

Land area covered by

plantations (ha)

Abia 8,700 2,051

Adamawa 10,011 2,374

Akwa Ibom 31,857 25,800

Anambra 32,457 5,332

Bauchi 840,280 1,200

Benue 60,125 2,234

Borno 582,820 432,052

Cross River 610,129 19,000

Delta 78,506 2,000

Edo 482,047 150,000

Enugu 8,524 7,489

Imo 1,525 1,160

Jigawa 92,000 3,000

Kaduna 613,484 6,146

Kano 77,708 2,186

Katsina 345,100 18,900

Kebbi 340,289 17,750

Kogi 540,360 5,000

Kwara 460,350 6,000

Lagos 12,579 2,000

Niger 756,906 4,956

Ogun 273,118 35,000

Ondo 337,336 27,153

Osun 86,057 6,381

Oyo 336,563 8,031

Plateau 402,500 6,800

Rivers 25,500 231

Sokoto 602,631 10,943

Taraba 10,011 1,359

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Table 4: National Parks, land areas, dates of establishment and States.

Park Land Area

(Km2)

Date

Established

State

Chad Basin 2,258 1991 Borno

Cross River Natural Park (Oban Div.). 1,906 1988 Cross River

Cross River Nat. Park (Okwangwa

Div.).

4,000 1991 Cross River

Gashaka Gumti 6,731 1991 Taraba

Kainji Nat. Park 5,382 1979 Niger

Kumuku 1,121 1999 Kaduna

Okomu 181 1999 Edo

Old Oyo 2,512 1991 Oyo

Yankari 2,244 1956 Bauchi

Source: Dada et-al (2006) cited by Imasuen, Oshodi and Onyeobi (2013).

Table 5: National parks/nature reserves/gazette forests (using IUCN categories).

Habitat/Ecosystem Total

Number

Total land

Area (ha)

% of total

land area

Biodiversity

role/function.

Existing natural

parks/game

reserves

33 4,29,778 4.65 Conservation of genetic

resources, education and

training, recreation and

aesthetics.

New/proposed

national parks/game

reserves.

13 371 0.40 Conservation of genetic



aesthetics.

Existing Ramsar

sites (Wetlands)

3 47,200 0.05 Conservation of genetic



aesthetics.

Existing gazetted

foreign reserves

445 9,651,800 10.31 Conservation of genetic

resources, supply of raw

materials for industrial

and commercial purposes,

education and training.

Source: FEPA(1992) cited by Imasuen, Oshodi and Onyeobi (2013).

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2.6. Stakeholders in Protected Areas.

It is impossible for any governmental, non-governmental, individual or group of individuals to

successfully protect the naturally preserved part(s) of an area by itself. The success of the

protection and management of the protected areas depend on numerous stake holders whose

activities are connected with nature (Rientjes, 2000, cited by Nastran and Pirnat, 2012). As a

general rule, anyone with a vested interest in the conservation outcome; and anyone whose interest

can derail the conservation process is a stake holder (Barrows, 2013). However, stakeholders in the

planning and management of protected areas, refer to all the people with a common interest in it

because it concerns and affects them or because they can exert influence upon it directly or

indirectly. They can be the government through its ministries/department/parastatals, individuals,

or group of individuals active at all levels right from the local to the global level (Freeman, 1984

cited by Nastran and Pirnat, 2012). They are not only users of the natural resources (John and

Catherine 2012, cited by Nastran and Pirnat, 2012) but also include those people and institutions

who impact directly or indirectly on the resources even without using them. They equally, include

people who may not even be aware that they have a stake in the management of the resources. In

fact, stakeholders change over time that is; new ones can enter the team while old ones lose their

role.

3. Materials and Methods.

The research design was the survey research. Data for the study were from primary and secondary

sources. Primary data were obtained through personal interviews, observations and questionnaire.

The sampling technique were the stratified, systematic and simple random sampling techniques.

Owerri urban was divided into three local governments and 100 questionnaires were systematically

and randomly distributed in each of the three local governments. This brought to 300, the total

questionnaires distributed for the study. However, a total of 272 were properly filled and returned.

The questionnaire was used to collect information about the protected areas, whether they are

declining or not, causes and the effects of the decline. Interviews and observations were used to

know the actual situation on ground. Frequency distribution tables were used in the presentation

and analysis of data.

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4. Study Area.

The study area is Owerri urban comprising of Owerri Municipal, 2/3 of the parts of Owerri West

and Owerri North local governments and 1/3 of the parts of Egbeada, Ubomiri and Mbieri. See fig.

2. (map of Imo State showing the study area-Owerri urban).

It lies within the sub-equatorial climatic belt. There are two major seasons: the rainy and the dry

seasons. The rainy season begins in March and ends in October, and the dry season begins in

November and ends in Febuary. Harmattan period occurs between December and January.

Temperature ranges from 250C to 30

0C having a mean annual temperature of 29

0C. The highest

temperatures occur in March, while the lowest temperatures occur in September. The highest

rainfall occur in July and September while December is the driest month. The North-East trade

wind brings the harmattan, while the South-West monsoon wind brings the rains. The study area

has about 2000mm-2500mm average annual rainfall, and experiences eight months of wet season

starting from March to October. The South-East where the study is based is closer to the Atlantic

Ocean, from where abundant water vapour is supplied to Nigeria. The beginning and end of the

rainy season are characterised by lightning and thunder storms. The rainy season witnesses a

break with two weeks dry spell in August. Its projected population as at 2017 based on 2006

National Population census is 572,478.

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5. Data Analysis and Interpretation.

Data collected for the research were analysed and the result presented and interpreted alongside the

research questions as follows:

Research Question 1: Are there protected areas in Owerri urban?

Table 6: Existence of protected areas in Owerri urban.

Option Total Respondents. Total Mean

Ow. Mun. Ow. North Ow. West

No % No % No % No %

Yes 55 58.5 74 82.2 60 68.2 189 69.5

No 29 30.9 10 11.1 12 13.6 51 18.8

Not aware 10 10.6 6 6.7 16 18.2 32 11.7

Total 94 100 90 100 88 100 272 100

Source: Field work 2017

Data from Table 6 show that 69.5% of the aggregate mean of the respondents said that there exists

protected areas in Owerri urban. 18.8% said that protected areas do not exist while 11.7% said they

are not aware of its existence. This presentation shows that there are protected areas in Owerri

urban.

Research Question 2: Are there losses/decline in the protected areas of Owerri urban?

Table 7: Whether there are losses/decline in the protected areas in the area

Option Total Respondents. Total Mean


No % No % No % No %

Yes 55 100 66 89.2 58 96.7 179 94.7

No 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Not aware 0 0 8 10.8 2 3.3 10 5.3

Total 55 100 74 100 60 100 189 100

Source: Field work 2017.

Data from Table 7 show that the respondents that said Yes constitute an aggregate mean of 94.7%.

while those that said that they do not know if the protected areas are reducing in size or not

constitute an aggregate mean of 5.3%. None of the respondents emphatically said No. From this

presentation, one can confidently state that there are losses/decline in protected areas in Owerri

urban.

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Research Question 3: What are the factors responsible for the loss of the protected areas

in Owerri urban.

Table 8: Factors responsible for the loss of protected areas in Owerri urban.

Option Total Respondents Total Mean

Ow. Mun Ow. North Ow. West

No % No % No % No %

Habitat Loss 51 92.7 58 87.9 40 69 149 83.2

Pollution 38 69.1 34 51.5 25 43.1 97 54.2

Urbanization 55 100 66 100 58 100 179 100

Climate change 12 21.8 0 0 22 38 34 19

Over exploitation 38 69.1 32 48.5 31 53.4 101 56.4

Introduction of

Invasive species 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 55 >100 66 >100 58 >100 179 >100

Source: Field Work 2017

Note: percentages (%) sum more that 100 because of multiple response from

respondents.

From Table 8, we can see that 100% of the aggregate mean of the respondents said that

urbanisation is responsible for the loss of protected areas in the study area. 82.3% said that habitat

loss (deforestation) is responsible. 56.4% said the over-exploitation is responsible. 54.2% said that

pollution is responsible while 19% said that climate change is responsible. However, none of the

respondents agreed that introduction of invasive species is responsible. This implies that the above

listed reasons are all responsible for the loss of protected areas in Owerri urban with urbanisation

ranking highest, (100%).

Research Question 4: What are the effect(s) of loss of protected areas in Owerri urban

Table 9: Effects of loss of protected areas in Owerri urban.

Option Total Respondent Total Mean


No % No % No % No %

Erosion 55 100 66 100 58 100 179 100

Loss of timber and

other wood products

55 100 61 92.4 58 100 174 97.2

Loss of medicinal herbs 50 91 59 89.4 44 75.9 153 85.5

Loss of recreation areas 55 100 60 91 53 91.4 168 93.9

Loss of Games 55 100 54 81.8 52 89.7 161 90

Poor agricultural output 24 43.6 28 42.4 20 34.5 72 40.2

Loss of employment 41 74.5 55 83.3 44 75.9 140 78.2

Total 55 >100 66 >100 58 >100 179 >100

Source: Field Work 2017

Note: percentages (%) sum more that 100 because of multiple response from

respondents.

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From Table 9, we can observe that 100% of the mean of the respondents said that erosion is the

effect. 97.2% said loss of timber and other wood products is the effects. 93.9% said that loss of

recreational areas is the effect. 90% said that loss of games is the effect. 85.5% said loss of

medicinal herbs and roots is the effect. 78.2% said that loss of employment is the effect. while

40.2% said loss of agricultural output. From this presentation, we can conclude that these options

are all effects of loss of protected areas in Owerri urban, with erosion menace ranking highest

(100%). This is closely followed by Loss of timber and other wood products ranking 97.2%.

However, Poor agricultural output ranks least with 40.2%.

Research Question 5: What strategies can be adopted to conserve protected areas in

Owerri urban.

Table 10: Strategies for the conservation of protected areas in Owerri urban.

Option Total Respondent Total Mean

Ow Mun. Ow. North Ow. West

No % No % No % No %

Prohibition/restriction of

human exploitation of

natural resources on

account of religion, culture

and tradition.

43 78.2 60 91 51 88 154 86

Integrating environmental

issues in governments

development policies.

49 89.1 52 78.9 43 74.1 144 80.4

Preparation of protected

area plan by the

government.

51 92.7 63 95.6 53 91.4 167 93.3

Public enlightenment on

the need to plant trees

40 72.7 45 68.2 50 86.2 135 75.4

Empowering of forestry

staff in order to monitor the

rate of illegal tree felling

and deforestation.

45 81.8 49 74.2 43 74.1 137 76.5

Total 55 >100 66 >100 58 > 100 179 >100

Source: Field work, 2017.

Note: percentages (%) sum more that 100 because of multiple response from respondents.

Data from Table 10 show that 86% of the mean of the respondents said that the conservation

strategy will be Prohibition/restriction of human exploitation of natural resources on account of

religion, culture and tradition. 80.4% said it is by integrating environmental issues in governments

development policies. 93.3% said it is by preparation of protected area plan by the government.

75.4% said it is by Public enlightenment on the need to plant trees while 76.5% said it is by

empowering of forestry staff in order to monitor the rate of illegal tree felling and deforestation.

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This presentation shows that the above stated approaches are all approaches for conservation of

protected areas in Owerri urban with Preparation of protected area plan by the government ranking

highest (93.3%).

6. Results and Discussion.

Findings from Table 6 show that there exists protected areas in the area. For example in Owerri

Municipal, there is the Mbari cultural centre, Ugwu Ekwema cultural center, Lake Nwaebere etc. In

Owerri West, there is the Mbari centre and forest reserve in Eziobodo, while in Owerri North there

is the Orie Uratta square, Ihitte Ogada forest reserve etc. Some other protected areas in some parts

of Imo state include the Monkey colony at Lagwa Okwuato, in Aboh Mbaise local government

area, the Abadaba lake in Ihitte Uboma local government area, the Avutu Obowo sacred forest in

Obowo local government area, etc. These are protected areas designated by the communities

before the advent of the colonial masters. The planning laws of modern government adopted them

and went further to designate other areas as protected areas for example, the Ama J.K recreation

centre, the Nekede zoological garden (Evaristus, (2016), etc. These protected areas apart from

providing for social and recreational services also offer medicinal, construction and agricultural

benefits to the people. These findings are in line with those of Imasuen, Oshodi and Onyeobi

(2013), Ekpo, Asuquo and Akpabio (2011) and Okafor, Ibeawuchi, Izuchukwu and Obiefuna

(2009) where they all stated in their separate works that protected areas provide many useful

services to the people such as provision of fresh air, timber, medicine, food, etc.

Table 7 showed that there is loss/decline in protected areas in the study area. The reasons for the

decline/loss have been found to be urbanization, habitat loss, over-exploitation, pollution, and

climatic change with urbanisation ranking highest (100%). (See table 8). All these are caused by

population explosion which have brought much pressure of human activities on the available

natural resources. There is now intensive farming as lands are no longer left fallow to allow for

natural regeneration. Also, the rate at which forest resources are exploited are quite alarming such

that plants are cut down before they get mature. Lens and Boon (2013) also stated that failure of

the government to incorporate environmental issues in its policies is another reason. These findings

tally with those of Duru and chibo, (2014), Ekpo, Asuquo and Akpabio (2011) and Okafor,

Ibeawuchi, Izuchukwu and Obiefuna (2009) where they stated that population explosion has

brought about much pressure on natural resources leading to over-exploitation, reduced fallow

period, habitat loss, urbanisation, etc. The effects of these causes as shown in table 9 manifested in

erosion (both soil and wind), loss of timber and other wood products, loss of medicinal herbs, loss

of recreational areas, loss of games, poor agricultural output and loss of employment in Owerri

urban.

Table 10 shows the strategies that should be adopted to conserve protected areas in the study area.

These strategies include: prohibition/restriction of human exploitation of natural resources on

account of religion, culture and tradition; integrating environmental issues in governments

development policies, preparation of protected area plan by the government. public enlightenment

on the need to plant trees and empowering of forestry staff in order to monitor the rate of illegal

tree felling and deforestation. However, prohibition/restriction of human exploitation of natural

resources on account of religion, culture and tradition is calling us to go back to the roots because it

46


was the methods used by our fore-fathers to ensure conservation of protected areas which of course

produced huge benefits before the advent of the missionaries. Another strongly advocated strategy

is the preparation of strategic area plan.

7. CONCLUSION

This write up has highlighted the important roles protected areas and indeed biodiversity play in

shaping human life as well as the threats to them. In fact, a threat to protect areas is a threat to all

of us, efforts must therefore be made to conserve them so that the direct benefits we receive such as

food, fibre, firewood, medicine and the indirect benefits through ecosystem services such as

pollination, climate moderation, flood control etc. will be sustained presently and for posterity.

8. RECOMMENDATION

The following measures have been recommended as ways/strategies to conserve protected areas

in Owerri urban.

1 Restoration of the prohibition of human activities imposed on some natural

resources on account of culture and religion as was the case before the advent the

missionaries who came and watered down the respect and fear such areas go with.

For example, the designation of an area as sacred forest, shrine and recreation

center is a call to go back to the roots so as to ensure the maintenance of

traditional ecological knowledge among indigenous communities.

2 Integrating environmental issues in governments development policies. There

is the need to integrate environmental issues in governments development

policies because of the persistent link between economic and environmental

quality. Most economic policies affect the environment in one way or the other.

Therefore it is necessary to incorporate the environmental dimension in all sectors

of policy making as a necessary show of concern to conservation of protected

areas.

3 Preparation of protected area plan by the government. The government

through the ministry of environment should put in place protected area plan.

This plan will identify, select and designate protected areas in our society.

All stake holders in protected area matters should be involved in the

preparation, monitoring and implementation of this plan so as to ensure that

development and enforcement fall within stipulations and violators

appropriately sanctioned.

4 Public enlightenment on the need to plant trees. There should be proper

public enlightenment on the need to plant trees. This measure will go a long

way in promoting recovery of our damaged environment and re-establish the

native communities of plants thereby ensuring ecological restoration.

5 Empowering of forestry staff in order to monitor the rate of tree felling

(deforestation). The forestry staff should be properly equipped in terms of funds

and patrol vehicles so that mobility will not hamper their effective monitoring

of our forest reserves. This measure will guard against over-exploitation of

natural resources.

47


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