Abstract

This study examined the sustainability of fuel wood harvesting from Afaka Forest Reserve in Kaduna, Nigeria. The methods adopted for data collection involved field observation, physical measurement of harvested wood diameters, photographing reporting and farmers’ interviews. The collected data was analyzed, by means of descriptive statistics in order to estimate the quantity of wood harvested per day, week, month and year; as well as the sizes of harvested trees and the harvesting method. The results indicated that a daily average of 91.9 tons of wood is harvested from the forest and transported into Kaduna through various classes of vehicles. In figures, about 15% of the harvested wood has a diameter of less than 5cm, 40% (5.1–10 cm), 14% (10.1–15 cm), 16% (15.1–20 cm) and 15% (> 20 cm). No specific scientific method of harvesting is in place and the rate of regeneration and/or replacement planting is far below the rate of harvesting. Taking into consideration the demand for fuel wood, poverty level, the harvesting cost, and availability of alternatives to fuel wood, the rate of wood harvesting is expected to increase and in no time, the Afaka forest may disappear with enormous consequences on the environment, considering the sizes of wood harvested daily. To avoid this, the Government at all levels, NGO, CBO will have to expand the forest and at the same time put in place a sustainable method of harvesting, such as putting a limit to the quantity of wood harvested per time and providing of alternative supply of affordable energy to the population.

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