PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY-BASED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN North-Western Nigeria

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 recourses in order to protect stabilise the environment. The projects, while emphasising tree planting {or afforestation), have, not given sufficient attention to other 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 reversing the situation, this study demonstrates how to use tree jbating, soil and water conservation and sensible exploitation of natural resources, in a holistic runner, to achieve sustainable environment. It is argued that mobilisation and empowerment of the local communities for sustainable natural resource management is crucial to any environmental protection strategy inthe area. Some of the suggested measures for achieving this include ensuring community agreement and commitment before introducing the strategies introducing only cost-effective measure, organising 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 resource management.