PERCEIVED IMPACT OF FUELWOOD CONSUMPTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF AFAKA FOREST RESERVE IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

The recent energy crisis in the world which makes conventional fuel derived from crude oil less affordable exacerbated cooking fuel scarcity in most developing countries thereby causing the illegal removal and vandalisation of most valuable species of preserved forest areas. The Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in collaboration with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) established a Mechanized Trial Afforestation Project (TAP) in Afaka also known as Afaka Forest reserve. This study examined the Impact of Energy Consumption (Firewood/Charcoal) on Sustainability of Forests in Afaka Forest Reserve. Using multistage sampling technique, structured questionnaire were administered to elicit information from a sample of 350 respondents and secondary data. Descriptive and inferential (Logit regression models) statistics were used to analyse the study. The results revealed that the average household in the study environment was 6 persons while an average household earned about N75000 per month. Result of the logit regression model revealed that the choice of energy/fuel use has significant relationship with income (P ≤ 0.01), household size and level of education at (P ≤ 0.05) . The perceived impact of Energy Consumption (Firewood/Charcoal) on Sustainability of Afaka Forest Reserve shows the level of consumption was not sustainable. The study suggests that stakeholders involved in managing the reserve should take pro-active steps to reduce excessive wood harvesting and resume immediate re-afforestation of the reserve. The wellbeing of the citizens should also be improved as increased fuel prices continue to put pressure on low income earners who fall back on the forest resources.