Perceived Effects of Deforestation among Households in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the effect of deforestation among Awka south local government household of Anambra state. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of households, the level of awareness of deforestation, causes of deforestation and its effects. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 90 households. Data was obtained using structured questionnaire. The study revealed that 64.44% were female while 35.56% were males. The mean age of the respondent was 40.44, 54.44% were married, the average household size was 3.6, 36.67% attained primary education and 82.22% practice farming as their main occupation. The level of awareness showed that 68.88% were aware of desertification as the most common cause of deforestation. 80% of the respondents stated that the major cause of deforestation was for cutting of woods for cooking. 35% of the respondents held that demand for wood in the study area is the major cause of deforestation, 27% of the respondent posited that increase in population could be attributed as the major cause of deforestation, 15% of the respondent posited that urbanization was the major cause of deforestation. The mean of the variables shows that increase in surface temperature (2.35), Extinction of Non-Timber Forest Product, desertification (2.57) and increased erosion (2.37) are the effects deforestation in the study area. Various recommendations were proffered; Enactment of laws to discourage indiscriminate deforestation, government should encourage afforestation campaign this will help to encourage people to plant more trees to reduce environmental hazards such as erosion, global warming due to greenhouse gas emission, inclusion of the expertise of extension personnel in training and awareness of deforestation in the study area.