Economic Importance of Forest Reserve Establishment in Kano State (a Case Study of Dansoshiya Forest Reserve in Kiru L.g.a Kano State)

ABSTRACTThe benefits of forest reserve are huge but people are ignorant of the benefits. They destroy it due to lack awareness and knowledge. Every day the rate of cutting trees is increasing and this can lead to soil erosion and other environmental problems. This research is being conducted in order to shade more light on the problems and prospect of Forest reserve establishment in Kano, with special reference to Dansoshiya forest reserve in Kiru local government area. Multi-stage and purposive sampling technique were employed for the research. (80) respondents were purposively selected, to make a total of hundred (100) respondent all together. The method used in collecting data for this project is closed ended questionnaire which have been distributed to the respondents living in each of the four (4) selected villages from the study area, in addition to the questionnaire, personal interview and reviewing of work of other research and related literatures was done. From the information derived from the research it was observed that cutting down of trees for the purpose of fuel wood is the major cause of trees loses in Dansoshiya forest reserve, and also the most affected species in the reserve is Parkia biglobossa (Dorawa). Also, farming activity were observed within and around the study area, this is due to the activities of the forest guard in and around the forest area (according to the inhabitant of the areas) in Dansoshiya. The participants also confirmed that they are allowed to cut down trees in a manner that provides for regeneration and that is not much change at Dansoshiya. It was recommended that recruitment of security officers should be done so as to ensure maximum security to the reserve. Also a law on environmental protection should be enacted and be entrusted upon all forestry departments. This would enhance easy management of forestry resources.