Appraisal of Causes, Consequences and Remedies of Human Induced Deforestation in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research work studied the appraisal of the causes, consequences and remedies of human induced deforestation on the sustenance of national economy in Osun state. The questionnaire method was used to generate data from foresters and residents of the forest environments. A total of 75 questionnaires were administered, the data generated were presented in tables and analyzed using t-test to determine the causes, effects and ways to reduce human induced deforestation in Osun state. The study showed that the forest has socio-economic and environmental benefits. The economic benefits include source of income, diversified products, employment gain, as well as provision of improved infrastructural base. The environmental benefit includes improved supply of marketing services as well as positive spin off for non-market services. The findings of the study reveals that the causes of human induced deforestation includes, mining of natural resources, overpopulation and poverty, urbanization and industrialization, fire outbreak, among others. Human induced deforestation leads to production of immature woods, economic looses, reduction in timber products, looses of forest cover, among others. Therefore the study recommended the possible ways to reduce deforestation which includes participation in forest management, strengthening of policies, increment in the rate of afforestation, recruitment of adequate forester manpower, among others. However, the rate of deforestation has being the major problems that affects impacts of wood technology on the sustenance of national economy of Osun state. Therefore, illegal or falling of forest trees should be prevented. Also, indiscriminate bush burning should be avoided. In addition, indigenous trees should be well conserved.