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Forest Policy Review as a Critical Issue Towards Implementation of Sustainable Forest Management: A Case Study of Kwara State, Nigeria

Babalola FD, Agbeja BO and Ajayi CA

The paper focused on forest policy as a critical issue relating to implementation of sustainable forest management. The study was conducted in Kwara State which happen to be a Gateway between the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires and individual interview of the forestry administrative officers in the State Forest Department (SFD), this include the State headquarter, Zonal and Area Officers. It was discovered that the state has no forest policy of its own. All the forestry activities were carried out under the Auspices of the National Forest Policy, which was enunciated in the 60s and based on the annual allowable cut (AAC), and Sustained Yield (SY) principle. The State was faced with crippling financial resources for the forestry department to perform its functions. Incidence of encroachment, lack of support from government and inadequate inventory of the resource base are serious indicators of poor forest policy implementation in the State. Recommendation was made that the existing forest policies should be reviewed for the adequate and appropriate implementation of sustainable forest management strategy.