PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY – BASED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT The threats of desertification and desert encroachment in the semi-arid north – western Nigeria, have prompted the establishment of several projects aimed at encouraging sustainable management of natural resources in orders to protect and stabilise the environment. The projects, while emphasising tree planting or afforestation, have not given sufficient attention to others soil and water management measures. The projects have also not succeeded in mobilising local communities for sustainable management of resources. Consequently, their impact on the environment of the area has been insignificant. As a contribution towards reserving the situation, this study demonstrated how to use tree planting, soil and water conservation and sensible exploitation of the natural resources in a holistic manner, to achieve a sustainable environment. It is argued that mobilization and empowerment of the local communities for sustainable natural resource management is crucial to any environmental protection strategy in the area. Some of the suggested measures for achieving this include ensuring community agreements and commitment before introducing the strategies introducing only cost-effective measures organizing communities into village associations and/or discussion forums, providing appropriate legal framework, promoting use of indigenous knowledge and institutions, ensuring equitable access to resources and adopting integrated approach to resources management.