The Impact of Forest Policy on a Forest Sustainable Development in Sokoto, Sokoto State

This study focuses on the impacts of forest policy on forest development in Sokoto State. The study was guided by three objectives these include: to determine the creation of man-made forests for specific end uses in Sokoto State, to determine forest products which are significant in encouragement of forest development in Sokoto State, to assess forest regeneration at a greater rate than exploitation to forest development in Sokoto state. Using a self structured questionnaire, the researcher collects data from 120 respondents from the ministry of forestry and environment Sokoto State. The data were coded and analyzed using frequency and percentage method of data analysis. The research found that forest policy issues are handled by Director of forestry in the sokoto state, the current status of the reserve forest shows that, a lot of effort are being made to encourage private forestry in the ministry. The study also found that forest in the state covers between 700-1000ha and that forest regeneration is greater than exploitation. The study found that the status of the reserve is sparsely dense, enrichment planting is carrying out by the ministry and other Organization to enrich the site, the ministry provide seedlings to encourage man-made forest in the study area and that Non timber forest products (NTFPs) are more significant in the state due to the fact that are edible fruit and the level of their market price. The study conclude that problem of land tenure system as regard to government intervention on man-made forest in the state recommend that the state government should ensure that more staff are employ and train to address the shortcomings of the forestry activities and more forest policy should be passed and implement by the state government against deforestation and conversation of forest reserve in farm lands by the resident.