DEPl .. ETTON OF VEGETATION "FOR FUEL WOOD SOCIO-ECONOMlC IMPLlCATIONS CASE STUDY: FARIN DOla VILLAGE PAII(ORO I..JOCAL GOVERNMENT NIGER STATE

Abstract

ABSTRACT. ' . The increase in population of both the urban and rural areas poverty, stringent economic . /' conditions of the generality of the populace and lack of proper energy policy in the state, has made it very ditficult for the rural populace to shift from the use of biomass (wood(s) for energy needs, to other energy resources. This has increased the dependency 011 the lise of fuel-wood for energy, which is detrimental not only to the ecological world, but to the agricultural sector. Depletion of vegetal cover for energy purposes, have had serious socio-economic effects to the people of Farin-Doki village through the decline of their agricultural products harvests persistently. The field survey of the environment's vegetal cover reveals a persistent depletion of vegetal cover which are ~~sed for their various domestic and economic sectors for energy supply. Similarly, the questionnaire administered showed a drastic decline in the fanners' roducts like guinea corn, corn and yam harvests of 1999 compared with those of 1994. I his situation which is a threat to t.he people and the environment, deserves an urgent I ttention to avoid a disaster that would spread to other areas of the state. Finally, the researcher proffered suggestions as solution to minimise the lise and ., ependency :of .fuel-wood for energy purposes, so as to reduce deforestation, improve . \ rricultural and socio-economic situation of the people, to avoid an impending ~sertification which is advancing southwards at alarming speed and its socio-economic nsequence.