An analysis of forestry management in Mamu forest reserve Enugu State, Nigeri

Abstract

This paper is set out to study the analysis of forest management practices in Nigeria (Mamu forest reserve Oji River) and establish the role of forest manager in effective forest resource management. Various methods such as questionnaire and statistical tools such as tables, percentage, charts etc. were used to arrive at reasonable findings. Such findings led to the recommendation that human resource investment in the reserve should be improved, so that effective management of forest resources can be achieved through strategic forest management planning. It was discovered from the findings that since the establishment of Mamu forest in 1927, it has lost11.975ha of trees in 75 years which gives an average loss of approximately 0.2 ha per annum. The loss of trees is basically attributed to farming activities and annual bush burning by hunters which is more disastrous in Mamu forest compared to Akwari Ani forest. It took cognizance of the management status of the forest estate, agencies involved in forest management, manpower situation, budgetary appropriation and revenue generation. As a result of some problems identified, appropriate recommendation were made in the following direction, provision of detailed forest resource plan indicating its economic importance. Administration of Mamu reserve should be improved and strengthened with professional and forest laws to be enacted to deal with offenders as well as revisiting land use act for cultivable land provision to farmers. The reserve should be Improved upon and expanded to attract tourist center. Finally Enugu state Government should provide adequate funds for the upkeep of the centre forest reserve (Oji River).