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Effects of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in the Red Volta East Forest Reserve of the Upper

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www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION IN THE RED VOLTA EAST FOREST RESERVE OF THE UPPER EAST REGION ON THE LIVELIHOODS OF ADJOINING COMMUNITIES BY BERNARD KPARE (BSC AGRICULTURE) (UDS/MAE/0030/10) A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE INSTITUTE FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES, UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY AND LIVELIHOOD CHANGE MARCH, 2016 www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh DECLARATION Student I hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of my own original work and that no part of it has been presented for another degree in this university or elsewhere: Candidate’s Signature: ………………………………. Date: ……………… Bernard Kpare Supervisor I hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of the dissertation was supervised in accordance with the guidelines on supervision of dissertation/thesis laid down by the University for Development Studies. Principal Supervisor’s Signature: ……………………………. Date: ……………. Dr. Hamza Bukari Zakaria ii www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of deforestation and forest degradation in the Red Volta East Forest Reserve on the livelihoods of the people of Zongoiri. The specific objectives of the study focused on Zongoiri community members' perceptions of causes of deforestation and forest degradation, how these processes affect their livelihoods, finding out how local peoples’ subsistence activities influence deforestation, assessing the extent to which the people are concerned about degradation of the forest resources and options for reversing the situation. A sample of one hundred (100) people was interviewed from the Zongoiri Community in Bawku West District and 98 questionnaires used for the analysis. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Quantitative data was obtained from the respondents through the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 16). The findings revealed that the respondents perceived deforestation as mainly caused by uncontrolled tree cutting and overgrazing. Human induced forest degradation also impacts on the micro-climate in terms of unreliable rainfall in recent years. The results indicate that livelihoods are affected through reduced crop yields, reduced availability of timber, firewood and other uses. Forest products from the reserve provide critical livelihood support to the people, and with increasing population growth and associated problems, demand for forest-based products will grow. There is therefore the need for policy reforms on forest resource utilisation that recognise the long- term impacts on rural populations in order not to entrench or worsen poverty. iii www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, I would like to express a deep sense of gratitude and affection to God Almighty for His guidance, care and protection throughout the period of the course of study. Secondly, I would like to express my profound gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Hamza Bukari Zakaria for his total commitment, patience, supportive guidance and encouragement throughout the process of putting this work together. I would also want to sincerely thank the Course Coordinator, Dr. Edward Salifu Mahama for his guidance, support and impartation of knowledge which has contributed immensely to the success of the research work. Thank you to all the lecturers who handled me in the various modules during the period of this course of study. Thanks indeed to you all for your invaluable support. I am indeed indebted to Mr. Sumaila Saaka for all the pain you passed through in supporting me to get this work to the completion stage. Thank you for all your long hours of coaching me, searching through your bookshelf to get me the needed information for the compilation of this report. God richly bless you for always being there for me. Mention should also be made of the tireless support of the administrative staff of the Institute who assisted me anytime I required their services. May the good Lord bless you. My special appreciation goes to Pastor James Sai and my dear wife, Rebecca for their prayers and moral support throughout the period of the course. Sincerest thanks to my employer (World Vision Ghana) for their support. iv www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my wife, Rebecca and my children: Andrew, Joel, Anna and Jude. They have always been a constant source of love, encouragement and inspiration to me. v www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. ii ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iv DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. x LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ xi LIST OF ACRONYMS ..................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER ONE .................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Problem Statement ............................................................................................... 6 1.3 Research Questions ............................................................................................. 8 1.4 Objectives of the study ........................................................................................ 9 1.3.1 Specific objectives ............................................................................................. 10 1.5 Justification of the study .................................................................................... 10 1.6 Limitations of the study ..................................................................................... 11 1.7 Organisation of the study ................................................................................... 11 vi www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................... 13 LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................. 13 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Operationalising some key definitions and concepts ......................................... 13 2.2.1 Forest ................................................................................................................. 13 2.2.2 Deforestation ..................................................................................................... 13 2.2.3 Forest degradation ............................................................................................ 14 2.2.4 Forest reserves and protected areas ................................................................. 15 2.3 The causes of deforestation and degradation ..................................................... 17 2.3.1 Direct causes of deforestation and degradation ................................................ 18 2.3.2 Underlying causes of deforestation and degradation ........................................ 21 2.3.3 Other factors ...................................................................................................... 25 2.4 Context of forests resource management in Ghana ........................................... 26 2.5 Effects of Deforestation ..................................................................................... 29 2.6 Local perceptions of natural resource conservation .......................................... 31 2.7 Forest resources and rural livelihoods ............................................................... 32 2.8 Approaches to halt deforestation and forest degradation .................................. 33 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 35 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 35 3.2 Research design ................................................................................................. 36 3.3. Profile of the Study Area ................................................................................... 36 vii www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh 3.3.1 Description of the Zongoiri Community ............................................................ 38 3.4 Study population and sampling ........................................................................
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