NG0003 Nigeria: Development of the Northern Sector of the Cross
River National Park

Project Summary:
This project involves the protection of forests within the northern
(Okwangwo) sector of the Cross River National Park in Nigeria,
and the sustainable development of the land outside the park.
The project aims to stabilize land and forest use in and around
the park, and links institutional development, environmental education,
park protection, and village liaison and development.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 50 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 50 |
| EE & Capacity Building 30 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 30 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 40 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
The concern of the Nigerian federal and Cross River State governments
about the economic cost of environmental degradation led to the
production of a project proposal drawn up by WWFUK in association
with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). The proposal
was to create a National Park that would include two important
forest areas: the southern Oban Hills (project NG0001) and the
northern Okwangwo (project NG0003). Reports and surveys on the
Okwangwo division in 1989 were synthesized into the project proposal
which was published in 1990. In autumn 1991 the two areas were
linked when the Cross River National Park was created. The two
projects help to ensure that the only remaining moist forest in
southern Nigeria is protected.
Cross River National Park lies in the extreme south-east of Nigeria,
alongside Korup National Park in Cameroon. Together they form
a conservation area of outstanding international importance. Okwangwo,
the northern sector of the park, is important because of its high
biodiversity. The forest protects a crucial watershed, the rivers
of which wind down from the hills before flowing through a wide
marshy delta to the Atlantic Ocean. The delta boasts the richest
fishing grounds in West Africa. The Okwangwo Division also shelters
the country's only gorilla population and it is hoped that the
creation of the park will ensure their survival. The project has
been funded by the UK Overseas Development Administration's Joint
Funding Scheme (ODAJFS) since 1989 and by the European Commission
since mid-1994. Overall management of the Okwangwo Division rests
with WWF.
Project Objectives:
1. To ensure the establishment and management of the Okwangwo
Division of the Cross River National Park, involving local people
as far as possible in the planning and management.
2. To continue to develop public awareness about the aims and
activities of the project.
3. To control illegal logging, farm encroachment, and all hunting,
and to give particular emphasis to the protection of gorillas.
4. To raise the confidence and ability of communities to initiate
economic activities themselves so as to raise income levels, thus
enabling the communities to control their own resources in a sustainable
manner for present and future exploitation.
5. To organize a survey (a) to enable amendment to the National
Park Decree, and (b) to establish a defined National Park boundary,
without which the park cannot be protected.
NG0003.1: Nigeria Devlp. of the Northern Sector of
the Cross River NP, ODA-JFS Funds (Aug. 89 - Jun. 98)
Activity Background:
WWFUK obtained ODAJFS funding to finance five key
senior posts in the Okwangwo Programme (the northern sector of
Cross River National Park).
Activity Objectives:
1. To manage and coordinate the Okwangwo Division of the Cross
River National Park.
Activity Biomes:
Tropical Moist Forest.
Activity Methods:
Protected Area Management.
Activity Species:
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes); Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus);
Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla).
NG0003.2: Nigeria Development of the Northern Sector
of the Cross River NP, EC Funds (Aug. 89 - Jun. 98)
Activity Background:
WWFUK negotiated and obtained major EC funding for implementation
of the Okwangwo Programme, on behalf of the Nigerian Federal Government.
Activity Objectives:
1. To manage and coordinate the project activity.
2. To conduct park management.
3. To conduct rural development activities.
4. To conduct biological research.
Major targets for FY1998 and beyond:
EC funding expires in July 1998. A proposal for programme extension
will be submitted during 1996-97, which will consider continuation/expansion
of support zone development, funding for the resettlement programme,
and park management development, particularly with respect to
tourist development in the park and Obudu Plateau.
Activity Biomes:
Tropical Moist Forest.
Activity Methods:
Protected Area Management.
Activity Species:
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes); Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus);
Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla).
NG0004 Nigeria: Project Development Officer for the Nigerian
Conservation Foundation
Project Summary:
This project involves support for the Nigerian Conservation Foundation
(NCF), a charitable non-profit making organization, the objective
of which is to promote the conservation, management, and sustainable
use of Nigeria's flora and fauna. The purpose of the project is
to develop the inhouse capacity of the NCF, a WWF associate
organization, to manage projects and attract maximum potential
funding from donor agencies.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 0 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 90 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 0 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 100 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 10
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) was established in
1982 to increase awareness of the dangers posed to the country
by the continuing degradation of natural habitats and loss of
wildlife. It has three main activities: (a) public awareness and
conservation education, (b) protection of natural habitats and
endangered species, and (c) provision of support for active conservation
organizations within Nigeria.
Many aid agencies are seeking to increase their aid to Nigeria
and would like to work with the NCF, either directly or through
WWF. At present NCF is developing its capacity to manage complex
projects and make use of current and potential funds. NCF asked
WWFUK and the Overseas Development Administration (ODA)
to help improve its inhouse capacity to manage projects.
The ODA supports this project through its Joint Funding Scheme
and provides NCF with inhouse capacity for improved project
management.
Project Objectives:
1. To improve and rationalize NCF's capabilities in strategic
planning.
2. To identify potential projects and development of proposals
and plans for these projects.
3. To secure funds from outside agencies.
4. To adequately implement new and existing projects.
5. To collaborate the preparation and finalization of a strategic
plan for WWF's future involvement in Nigeria.
NG0004.1: Nigeria Provision of Support for the Nigerian
Conservation Foundation (Jul. 90 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Major targets for FY1998 and beyond:
1. To review schools' environmental education syllabuses.
2. To conduct a waterfowl census.
3. To create joint NCF/National Parks Service management of Old
Oyo National Park.
4. To publish a book entitled "The Nigerian Environment:
Perspectives into the Year 2000".
5. To advocate gazetting of new National Parks and protected
areas.
Activity Methods:
Institutional Support and Development; Programme / Project Development.
NG0007 Nigeria: Gashaka Gumpti National Park.
Project Summary:
This project supports the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in
assisting the federal government's National Park Service to conserve
Nigeria's valuable natural resources by developing Gashaka Gumpti
National Park and by promoting improvements in the standard of
living of people residing near the park.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 50 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 50 |
| EE & Capacity Building 30 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
|
Protected Areas 50Non-Priority Biomes 0
| | Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 20 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
The mountainous region of Gashaka Gumpti is a 6,000 sq km mosaic
of diverse habitats with altitudes varying from 450-2,400m above
sea level, situated in Adamawa and Taraba States of Nigeria. These
forested mountains shelter the headwaters of some of the major
tributaries of the River Benue, Nigeria's second-largest river.
Conservation of these forests is important for the future of Nigeria's
water resources. The extensive range of different habitats supports
communities with a high degree of biological diversity, which
provides considerable potential for tourism. A former Game Reserve,
Gashaka Gumpti was declared a National Park in August 1991. During
1992, responsibility for managing the park was taken over by the
National Park Service. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation, with
support from WWF, are assisting the park management in the protection
and development of this important conservation area. WWF assisted
with sourcing UK ODAJFS and EC funding, which commenced
in 1991.
Project Objectives:
1. To establish Gashaka Gumpti National Park as a wellmanaged
conservation area.
2. To protect the forested water catchments of the Taraba River.
3. To prevent environmental degradation and soil erosion in the
mountains of Gashaka, and in the Mambilla and Ganye local government
areas of Adamawa and Taraba State.
4. To develop an education awareness programme in the vicinity
of Gashaka Gumpti National Park.
5. To promote sustainable rural development in order to improve
the standard of living of people living near Gashaka Gumpti National
Park.
6. To conserve the park's breeding populations of fish and mammals.
7. To conserve the region's high biodiversity.
8. To develop hitherto untapped tourist potential.
9. To control illegal logging, farm encroachment, and hunting.
10. To retrain and redeploy the park's antipoaching force.
11. To initiate and develop an inventory of the park's biological
resources.
NG0007.1: Nigeria Gashaka Gumpti National Park (Nov.
91 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
Major targets for FY1998 and beyond:
1. To assist the park's authorities and local communities in
the implementation of a collaboratively planned management plan.
2. To secure long-term funding for the development of the park
and surrounding areas.
Activity Methods:
Protected Area Establishment; Protected Area Management.
Activity Species:
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes); Giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinerzhageni);
Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus); Leopard (Panthera pardus);
Lion (Panthera leo).
NG0008 Nigeria: Survey of the Forests of Taraba and Adamawa
States, Nigeria
Project Summary:
The project aims to protect the forests that form a significant
area of the catchments of a major river system in northeast
Nigeria, a system that provides water resources for millions of
people. A survey will detail the geographic extent, biological
composition, and ethnobotanical, economic, and hydrological importance
of the forests, from which an assessment of their conservation,
management, and legal status can be made. Following this, proposals
for the future management and conservation of the forests will
be prepared, indicating the involvement of local communities in
their sustainable utilization. The project will also train a team
of Nigerians from a variety of institutions in the techniques
of undertaking resource and socioeconomic surveys.
Priority Biomes %
| | |
Strategies %Forests 50
| | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 50 |
| EE & Capacity Building 50 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 50 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 0 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 0
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
Considerable areas of lowland and highland moist forests exist
in the Taraba and Adamawa States of northeastern Nigeria.
These forests cover many hundreds of square kilometres of countryside.
They are little known within Nigeria, and internationally they
are virtually unknown. One of the largest lowland forests, Bissaula
Forest Reserve, is situated 100km northeast of the Cross
River National Park. The northeastern forests are intensively
utilized by local communities for the harvesting of forest products,
including timber, building materials, and bushmeat. Extensive
areas are cleared for farmland each year by shifting cultivators.
Some of these forests have been designated as forest reserves
and thus receive a degree of protection and management. Other
forests are subjected to constant, uncontrolled exploitation.
One of Nigeria's two major rivers, the River Benue, flows through
Taraba and Adamawa States. Some of the most important tributaries
of this major river have their headwaters in the mountainous country
along the international boundary with Cameroon. This rugged terrain
is partially protected by these remaining expanses of forest,
creating a vital watershed catchment for the tributaries. If these
forests continue to be unsustainably exploited, and ultimately
destroyed, a significant proportion of the catchments of a major
river system will be irreparably damaged, with disastrous effects
on river flow patterns and on the water resources of millions
of people.
Project Objectives:
1. To carry out a comprehensive field survey of the lowland and
highland moist forests in the Taraba and Adamawa States of northeastern
Nigeria, ranging across a watershed of some 50,000 sq km.
2. To make an accurate assessment of the conservation status
of these forests and the threats to their future survival.
3. To produce proposals for the long-term management and conservation
of these forests.
NG0008.1: Survey of the Forests of Taraba and Adamawa States,
Nigeria (Jul. 94 - Jun. 99)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
NG0009 Nigeria: Protection of Okumu Nature Sanctuary, Edo State,
Nigeria
Project Summary:
View Map
The Okumu Nature Sanctuary in Nigeria is located within a 1,082
sq km forest reserve representative of the lowland rainforest
ecosystem of south-west Nigeria, and containing a unique assemblage
of plant and animal species. This project affords protection to
the forest reserve, with a view to the spreading out of a "gene
pool" of endangered flora and fauna, including many plants
with medicinal properties and the endangered white-throated monkey,
into the surrounding forest.
Priority Biomes %
| | Strategies %
|
Forests 100 | | Consumption & Pollution 0
|
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 | |
EE & Capacity Building 25 |
Oceans and Coasts 0 | |
Protected Areas 30 |
Non-Priority Biomes 0 | |
Species 0 |
Non-Biome Specific 0 | |
Sustainable Resource Use 25 |
| | Treaties & Legislation 20
|
| | Non-Priority Strategies 0
|
Project Background:
Okumu Nature Sanctuary in Nigeria was established in 1985, following
the Nigerian Conservation Foundation's (NCF) pioneering efforts,
and originally covered 69 sq km. In 1991 it was extended to 112
sq km. At present NCF has 12 staff in situ, including nine game
guards. The sanctuary is a "flagship" project for NCF.
The national policy on conservation is that 20% of Nigeria's land
should be under permanent vegetation cover, in order to provide
a safeguard for the country's renewable natural resources. At
present less than 10% is actually being protected. Uncontrolled
timber exploitation, ever increasing demand for more farming land,
and urbanization are all contributing to the progressive depletion
and destruction of Nigeria's remaining forests.
Okumu Nature Sanctuary is important for its biodiversity and offers
great tourism potential - it has a guest house and nature trail,
as well as a river where it is possible to swim. The endemic white-throated
monkey, the future of which almost certainly hinges on adequate
protection of Okumu, and several other endangered species such
as the forest elephant, the bushcow, and the yellow-backed duiker,
as well as an impressive array of bird life, all occur in Okumu.
Although the sanctuary has been in existence for some time, there
is still considerable pressure on it from the surrounding communities.
Local people are accustomed to making use of nontimber tree
species, herbs, shrubs, wild animals, birds, and reptiles to provide
food, fodder, fibres, drugs, wild fruits, and other commodities.
This project provides the resource necessary for NCF to continue
to safeguard the important genetic resources of Okumu. There are
several donors involved in support zone activities around the
sanctuary, but none involved with the sanctuary itself.
Project Objectives:
1. Southwest Nigeria's rainforests, and to conserve these
resources for their scientific, economic, and educational use
by present and future generations.
2. To secure funding for the continued protection of Okumu Nature
Sanctuary.
3. To provide protection for the sanctuary such that plant and
animal populations can build up a gene pool spreading out into
the surrounding forest, which in the long term will allow for
a system of sustainable harvesting of useful fauna and flora in
the support zone around the sanctuary.
NG0009.1: Protection Of Okumu Nature Sanctuary, Edo State,
Nigeria (Jul. 93 - May. 98)
Activity Background:
See Project Background.
Activity Objectives:
See Project Objectives.
|