ABSTRACT

The study assessed the existing resources, utilization, and associated problems with Erne River Forest Reserve in Uzuakoli. Abia State. Nigeria. Data for this research was gotten from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was be collected through field surveys, interviews, and questionnaire administered to the local communities, forest guards, and forest resource users. Secondary data was gotten from published and unpublished reports, books, journals, and government documents. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistical methods. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data collected from the questionnaires Tree plant resources in Erne River forest reserve identified by respondents in Erne River Forest reserve include: Irvingia garbonensis, Irvingia excelsa, Treculia africana, Cola acuminata, Chrysophyllum albidum, Piper guineense , Parkia biglobosa, Dialium guineense, Afzelia africana , Pentaclethra niacrophylla, Garcinia kola and Pterocarpus santalinoides. Animals and Non wood resources Available in Erne River Forest Reserve. These included Apis mellifera, Thryonomys swinderianus, Numida meleagris, Kinixys spp, Columbina spp, Achatina achatina/marginata, Termite alates and python regius. 8.18% of the respondents indicated poverty and unemployment as the challenges tacing the management ofresources in Erne River Forest Reserve. 82.73%, 79.09%, 77.27% and 76.35% indicated over-harvesting of the resources, inconsistent government policies, deforestation and no strict laws that are binding on offenders or defaulters respectively as the challenges facing the management of resources in Erne River Forest Reserve. It is concluded that the forest resources in Erne River forest reserve include but tree/plant spices, non woody materials and animal species. This study has shown that all the forest resources in Erne River forest reserve are being over exploited as the demand for forest resources are high leading to various uses of the resources for which some include sources offood, raw material for handicrafts, building materials, cultural and recreational purposes and wood. It was observed that the forest resources have contributed to the survival ofmost inhabitants in the area. These resources have been the majorsource of food, drugs, spiritual and cultural materials to respondents. The study shows that poverty /unemployment, ignorance and illegal exploitation are the major challenges facing the management offorest resources in Erne River Forest reserve. Based on the findings ofthe study, it is recommended that the State Government through its Ministry of Environment and tourism should come up with awareness and sensitization campaign on the negative consequences of excessive exploitation of forest resources in Erne River Forest Reserve.