Foest Management and Human Intervention: Case Study of Ruma-kukar Jangarai Forest Reserve in Katsina State.

Abstract

The tree is an extra ordinary plant, it produces leaves, fruits and nuts year after year, season after season. Because of its deep root, it can do so at times when annual plants are either dead or scarcely germinated. It accumulates its productivity in the form of wood that, if not harvested one year, is safely preserved for another. This study deals essentially with the impact of man's activities on vegetation with special reference to the RUMA-KUKAR JANGARAI FOREST RESERVE in the north-western part of Katsina state. The study is concerned with such human interventions as grazing, farming, deforestation and burning. The methodology adopted here involves reconnaissance survey; sampling procedure as well as library research. There are exactly 29 identified tree species in the reserve. The most predominant species are piliostigma thoningii, Diospyrus mespiliformis ,and Anogeissus leiocarpus. From the study, it is evident that there are negative human incursions in the forest reserve. This can be seen from the different types of land use the forest reserve is subjected to. For instance 13% of the fringing population are engaged in fire wood extraction that is, illegal felling of trees in the forest reserve. Based on the findings of this research the following recommendation are given, There should be more enlightenment campaigns on the importance of the forest reserve and the dangers posed by lack of it a More lands should be recruited for effective and management of the forest reserve by this; I mean the fringing communities conservation should be involved in the patrol and policy of the forest reserve.