Dr Glory Amarachi Izimah
Independent Environmental Consultant, Netherlands
Biography
All over the world, mangrove ecosystems are threatened by both natural and human interferences that limit their potentials to deliver benefits for human wellbeing. In Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the unsustainable utilisation of and dependence on mangrove resources for livelihoods by local communities have led to the depletion of the mangrove forest. This is in addition to oil exploration, urbanisation and population growth. Like in many other coastal regions of the world, poor local coastal communities in Niger Delta exploit mangroves for food, fish, fuel wood, timber, building materials and for income generation. In the face of global warming, climate change and extreme flood events, efforts are been made to conserve the world's mangrove forest as it has been discovered to serve as sink for green house gases and as defence against coastal floods. In the bid to conserve the mangrove forests of Niger Delta, restrictions have been placed on utilisation of mangrove resources and in some cases, mangrove forests have been designated as forest reserves by government. Little or no attention has been paid to why coastal communities in the region depend on mangroves for livelihoods and no incentives have been put in place to address the livelihood challenges of the local communities. An understanding of how and why local communities harvest mangrove resources is vital for drawing sustainable mangrove conservation plans. Addressing livelihood needs of local communities and integrating local stakeholders interests in mangrove conservation is equally significant for successful implementation and sustainability of any mangrove conservation plan. This study was carried out in Ibeno, a coastal community in Niger Delta, Nigeria with the aim of understanding why local communities in Ibeno depend on mangroves for livelihood. The study examined the livelihoods of local communities in Ibeno that are supported by mangroves, reasons why the local communities depend on mangroves for livelihood and perception of local stakeholders about mangrove management in Ibeno. Both primary and secondary methods were used for data collection.. The study concludes that the lack of alternative source of fuel, lack of back social amenities and poor income opportunities are the major reasons for local community dependence on mangroves for livelihoods. The study recommends integrating these issues mangrove conservation plans