Bio-diversity

This project is designed to reduce the rate of deforestation in Ngor Okpala South through the promotion of Community Based sustainable land Management; Affrorestation and Wildlife control in 3 most vulnerable communities in Imo State Nigeria. Its objectives are; to create awareness of environmental degradation, deforestation and effect of reclamation of degraded forests around the communities, To seek to formulate community bylaws on environmental and wildlife conservation, Planting of economic trees in degraded land around the communities which help to enhance communities effort to engage in sustainable livelihood activities. The forests around the target communities are fast disappearing due to unsustainable exploitation of the natural resources. Agbono trees whose seed is used as a local soup source are unsustainably harvested and the trees are constantly cut down for timber. Raffia palms are tapped unsustainably and none is planted to replace the cut ones, In addition, some of the rivers (rivers in Isi Okwu, Iyiokanya, Nki and Ogweke) are drying up. The above situations have obviously led to biodiversity loss which is already affecting livelihood and sustainability of the environment and the natural resource. Major activities include; town Hall meetings to sensitize communities on the effects of deforestation and the results of reforestation programmes, Formation of Community Environmental Management Committee in each community of project implementation Consultations, information gathering on community policies/laws that will address deforestation, wildlife conservation and utilizing the non productive land, Procure and planting of raffia tree, agbono tree and palm trees communities choice and Provision of bicycles for the communities members to ease the stress of engaging in livelihood activities such as wine tapping and Agbono harvesting.

Nigeria