Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 19: 1041 - 1048. Published July 7, 2009.
Evaluation of fuelwood consumption and implications on the environment: case study of Makurdi area in Benue state, Nigeria
Tee, N.T*. Ancha, P.U. and Asue, J.
Department of Social & Environmental Forestry, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria.
^Corresponding author e–mail:atatias@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To address the problem of increasing disappearance of vegetal cover in and around Makurdi area, Nigeria.
Methodology and results: The fuelwood consumption patterns and various user groups in the area, different wood species utilized for fuelwood, and implication of these uses on the environment were identified. Applying random sampling technique, 180 respondents were selected and interviewed between September, 2007 and June, 2008. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics on SPSS I4.0 software version. The result revealed eight user groups and/or patterns of utilization, i.e. household cooking, brewing of liquor, charcoal production, cooking in hotels/restaurants, burnt-bricks production, oven baking, rice milling, and smoking. Also, 37 wood species were useful for fuelwood in the area, and out of these, five were under threat of extinction. Furthermore, there was on-going massive exploitation with little planting operations going on in the area. This portends grave environmental degradation with severe consequences.
Conclusions and application of findings: Fuelwood remains the major source of energy for all energy-demanding groups in and around Makurdi. However, its supply is limited and the preferred fuelwood species are under threat of extinction. The excessive pressure on the forest for fuelwood, poor harvesting and exploitation with the negative attitude of the people towards establishing fuelwood plantations has resulted in environmental degradation. From the foregoing, governments and other development agents are encouraged to make use of this information to support availability of alternative energy sources to supplement fuelwood. In this regard, converting wood wastages (wood shavings and saw-dust) to briquettes and motivating the public to plant trees would improve energy supply and therefore reduce pressure on the natural forests. This will also minimize environmental degradation and its negative consequences. Policy-makers and other stakeholders should also use the information to develop policies and strategies to preserve and sustain the species identified as threatened in the area.
Key words: Fuel-wood, consumption pattern, user groups, environment.
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