Impact of agricultural activities on wildlife managementin boundary communities: a case study ofOba hillforest reserve, Osun State,Nigeria.

Abstract

The level of agricultural activities on wildlife resources was investigated in five (5) communities at the boundary of Oba Hill Forest Reserve using structured questionnaire. The communities were purposely chosen due to their proximity (5km) to the forest reserve. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on the encroachment of agricultural activities on the forest resources. Hundred respondents selected were interviewed randomly. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The studies revealed that majority (35%) of the communities were farmers and were of middle age, married with primary and secondary education. The study revealed that the inhabitants of the communities encroached on the Oba Hill forestland for farming (40%) while the water bodies of the forest and its banks were utilized for fishing purposes (12%).The main anthropogenic activities that caused damage or
direct effect on wildlife are hunting (10%), fishing (12%), logging (18%), grazing (20%) and farming (40%) as observed during the study. The study also revealed that the level of local
extinction on wild animals and habitat loss in the forest reserve was because of high rate of illegal activities along and inside the boundary area of the reserve. Also revealed is the use of fire for farm clearing purposes by the farmers along the boundary areas as well as the indiscriminate bush burning at the forest reserve perpetrated by the Fulani herdsmen and hunters for their illegal grazing and hunting expeditions. The study further revealed the extent of logging activities observed along and inside the forest reserve by timber operators, which depicts the level of illegal activities on the flora species. The study identified various illegal activities in the forest reserve due to shortage of required materials at both planning and management level of the established forest reserve. It is suggested that comprehensive investigation study on species ecology and possible management of protected areas in relation to man needs proper evaluation and documentation for sustainable planning development.