Dr Jude Ubuh Kujoh, Dr Evor Iwara Imoke, Dr David Ebri Eni, Dr Ojong Aganyi Asu, Blessing Asuquo Isoni & Dr Osedumme Igwbuike
Abstract
This study was on livelihood activities and forest resource conservation, an assessment of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) extraction in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State. A research question and a hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study consists of 6,433 indigenous farmers in the study area. Purposive and accidental sampling techniques were used to select three hundred and twenty-one (321) indigenous farmers as the sample. Non-Forest Products Extraction Questionnaire (NFPEQ) was used for data collection. The data were analysed with Pearson product moment correlation. The results revealed that non-forest products extraction activities significantly contribute to forest resource conservation in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State. Based on the findings and conclusion, it was recommended that there should be strict laws regulating indigenous farmers’ activities around the reserved forest area, and that farmers should be trained on selective harvesting skill, that is in line with sustainable best practices and conservation practices to enhance its adoption and effectiveness in forest resource conservation within government reserved area of forest.