FUELWOOD HARVESTING AS MEANS OF INCOME IN GORA AND ZUTURUNG DISTRICTS IN ZANGON KATAF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,

KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Yunana, Mba Abui and Shat, A.

Department of Environmental Management

Kaduna State University, Kafanchan Campus, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

E-mail: abuimbayunana@yahoo.com

Abstract: Fuelwood apart from meeting domestic energy need of the people in the rural areas provide a means of livelihood as a source of income. The income of fuelwood harvesting in Gora and Zuturung districts in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria, was investigated with a view to determine its potentials and impact on the income of the communities. Data for the study were obtained from a total sample of 150 randomly selected respondents through interview schedules, application of structured questionnaires and personal observations. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequencies, percentages and tables were used to analyze the data obtained from the questionnaire. The study indicated that the major uses of the fuelwood by the respondents for sales and cooking, The fuelwood are sold in pickups and the income generated from the fuelwood sales by each respondent within the period of study ranges is between N2,000 to N6,000 in a month and the money realized from the sales of the fuelwood is use for paying school fees, buying cloths, buying farm inputs, and other domestic functions and the effects of the fuelwood harvesting include: reduction of plant species, reduction in vegetation, occurrences of drought, disappearances of animal species, rises in temperature and others environmental problems. The study also confirmed that harvesting of the fuelwood by communities is illegal as government is against any person(s) who engage in fuelwood harvesting from the bush. It is therefore recommended that the State Forestry Department should educate the collectors on the importance of rational exploitation, tree planting, and the value of maintaining the existing trees on their farm plots.