EFFECT OF DEFORESTATION ON LIVELIHOOD PATTERN OF FOREST FRINGE COMMUNITIES IN KURMI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE.

Abstract

This study deals with effect of deforestation on livelihood pattern of forest fringe communities in Kurmi Local Government Area. The study is guided by two objectives which are to; investigates the effects of deforestation on agricultural practices in Kurmi Local Government Area and examines the impact of deforestation on income levels and well-being of the communities in Kurmi Local Government Area. The study adopted a descriptive survey design where mean and standard deviation was used to analyse the data obtained from the field. The population of the study consisted of 355 people from Kurmi Local Government Area, Taraba State and the results of the study shows that climate change, windstorm, desert encroachments, extinction of plant and animal species in the area and government policies on deforestation stops people from using the forest. The study recommended that farmers should be trained in other alternative livelihood approaches such as Beekeeping, grass cutter and snail rearing, garri processing and mushroom farming, this is so because of the high demand for honey, grass cutter, snail and mushroom in urban centres across the country.