Environmental Law and the Reality of the Conservation and Management of Forests in Nigeria

Abstract

Degradation of Forest lands and resources in Nigeria by anthropogenic factors has continued unabated in Nigeria with severe implications for environmental protection and sustainable development. Forest lands serve as the habitat for wide variety of fauna and flora which provide support for lives on the earth planet. Forests in Nigeria require adequate protection to enable people benefit maximally from the gifts of nature. This paper examined the extent and effectiveness of measures for the conservation and management of forest lands and resources in Nigeria. The data for this study were obtained primarily from both international and international legal frameworks. Journal articles, text books, newspapers and the internet provide the secondary source of information. Conservation and management of forest lands and resources in Nigeria pre-date the colonial era in some of the southern states with forests. Traditional means of protection by the designation of forests as sacred proved more potent than the use of legal instruments. In effect today, conservation and management of forests are in the actual practice limited to government owned parks, thus leaving natural forests open to assault.

Keywords: Forests, conservation, deforestation, waterfowl, ecosystem etc.

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/96-01

Publication date: April 30^th 2020