Influence of Anthropogenic Factors on Forest Resources Exploitation and Utilization in the Bakossi Landscape

This study was carried out to investigate how human factors affect forest resources exploitation and utilization. The study therefore aimed at identifying the level of pressure put on different forest resources as a result of human activities. It was conducted in thirty-four (34) communities that share a direct boundary with the Bakossi National Park (BNP). Focus group discussions were held with selected resource users from each village within a cluster. Selected members were those who have lived in the area for a very long period of time, have adequate knowledge on the area especially on the exploitation of forest resources, and are actively exploiting forest resources in the area. Interviews were also done with key resource persons, and direct observations were conducted in the study areas. The participatory rural appraisal method as well as participatory diagnostic method were adopted to ease assessment of the collection and importance of NTFPs in the area. In 75% of the study area, it was noticed that a higher percentage of the NTFPs are harvested outside the park (NE 50%; SE 54% and SW 54.2%), followed by that exploited both inside and out of the park (NE 41.7%; SE 37.5% and SW 37.5%). Contrarily, in the NW cluster, a higher percentage of NTFPs are harvested both inside the park and out of the park (93.3%), whereas only 6.7% is exploited strictly out of the park alone. The NW cluster is the most enclaved of the four clusters, thus higher rate of NTFP exploitation in this area inside the and out of the park could be due to the fact that there is limited law enforcement and inadequate awareness of the people on activities prohibited in a protected area in this area. More than 80% of NTFPs exploited is for commercial purpose, due to limited alternative sources of income. The presence of bush meat markets makes poaching higher in the NW and SW clusters, while timber exploitation is higher in areas with good road network. The provision of alternative sources of livelihoods, and provision of improved varieties of forest resources to be cultivated in farmlands will reduce pressure on forest resources especially in protected areas. It is also imperative to develop and implement access rights strategy for forest resources with effective monitoring and evaluation. Also, disenclaving remote areas will ease law enforcement which will create conservation awareness in communities.