FORESTS AS CATALYSTS FOR INDUSTRIAL GROWTH: THEIR DISTRIBUTIONS AND DISAPPEARANCES IN KATSINA STATE

Abstract Forests are large areas of land covered with trees and undergrowth. The trees grow closely together creating a continues overlapping leaf canopy. The World Commission on Environment and Development made awareness about destruction done to the environment by man and his industrialization process. Katsina State has had a long history of forest reserves since 1916 in the old Katsina province. These reserves were meant to provide pasture, protect endangered tree species and wild animals, improve climate, control hunting or serve as fuel plantation and industries can be established to process raw material. Unless forests are developed agro-industries cannot survive. Today, forests are being converted to shelters by unscrupulous individuals (see table 1) The only solution to this environmental degradation is preservation and safeguarding. This paper recognizes forests as catalysts for industrial growth. For the sake of future generations, they must be conserved, developed, protected, sustained and administered wisely. The ultimate goal was to establish forest reserves on 25% of the territory of Katsina province. This article aims at the reserves distribution in the state and their present statues today, weather they are properly managed or neglected by the authorities concerned. Recommendations and conclusion then follows, for government to enhance a better survival of our reserves and agro-industries. Key words: Katsina, forests, environment, emir of Katsina Introduction Man and animals enjoy a host of ecological services by forest. Forests filter and purify water and air. They also conserve soil and prevent erosion hazards. They are also homes for biodiversity and helps man to experience and execute his nature. Destruction of forests by man means destroying the ecosystem. The non-sustainable consumption pattern of our forest resources brought about a decline of worlds forest reserves by large scale of tree felling and deforestation of forested areas for domestic and commercial purpose to facilitate urbanization (Nelson, 2003).This prompted the United Nations Commission for Environment and Development to make effort to halt the destruction done to the Environment by man and his industrialization process. (Olofin, 2000) Katsina state, although found within the buffer areas below latitude 120N and whereby it is taking in desert like conditions has favorable climatic indices that encourages growth of vegetation and forests across the state. From the extreme northern part where it borders Niger Republic it has a mean Annual Rainfall measurement of 635mm to the extreme southern part where it neighbors Kaduna State where 1,143mm measurement is recorded. Katsina State has had a long history of forest reserves since 1916(FDF, 2000}. Within a decade, a number of reserves are established in many areas, with varying sizes. (Ladan, 2007). The reserves were meant to protect the endangered tree species, provide pasture, improve climate, beautify the environment to provide avenue for recreation and tourism and control hunting or serve as fuel plantation. (Kankara, 2007) An accelerated establishment of forest reserves began from1930 when Emir of Katsina craved for the establishment of a belt of trees in northern Katsina to stimulate rainfall and prevent desert encroachment (Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, 2007). The number of reserves increased by the mid 1940’s, bringing the total area to 9,466sq miles. With the sudden decline of forests in the State caused by neglect and human interference even the wild animals roaming the areas go into extinction (Nelson, 2003) The establishment of forest reserves, as noted in the abstract started in 1919 in the old Katsina province (Kabiru 1998). Within a decade, a number of reserves with varying sizes were established at Jibiya 92 sq miles); Kankara-Tsaskiya-Ruma area (284 sq miles), the Birninn Katsina Area 9193 acres); Karaduwa (6.8 sq miles) Garunmashi district (66.6 acres) and Makoda-Marusa district (62 miles); Sabuwa- Marusa district (15 acres); Masibi ingawa (68 acres); Musawa South (30 sq miles); Kogo reserves (30 sq miles) Babsal and Co, 1998). By the mid 1940s the number of reserves increased and additional areas included Rogogo hill, Sandamu, Kaya, Hamis, Gulbin Baure, bringing the total area to 9,466 sq miles (KTSG, 2005). The state has about 50 forest reserves (table I) scattered all over the state. They vary in size and area extent forms few hundred square Kilometers to thousand of square kilometer (map). There are also shelterbelts in the northern part of the state. The belts can be idenfied from satellite imageries. Other forest reserves of great potential include Guru Gingia, Kandawa, Kabbi, Yash, Dutsinbali, Mawashi, Karfi, Daura, Dayi, Badauri, Dayingoro, Barawa, Tsanmi and Katsina with Other areas Dankabbi, Madarai, Nasssarawa, etc. (KTAPU,1997). Forests Potentials A part from potentials of the forest in terms of size discussed above other areas of potentialities the forest can serve are potentials for mineral resources, (FDF,2000) woods, wild life and plant (Ladan, 2005), national parks, habitats in the global climate, medicinal herbs, tourisms and recreations, prevention of natural hazards education (Raul, 2003 ) The forests in Katsina state are rich in deposits. The kaolin deposit is found in the forests of Kankara, Ingawa, Dutsinma, Safana, Batsari, Musawa and Bakori. More than 40,000,000 tones of tale is found in the forests of Kankia and Ingawa, and 200,000 tones of feldspars are found in the forest reserves of Batagarawa, Safana, Faskari, Kurfi and Dutsin-ma. High purity gemstone is found in Batsari, Bakori and Kafur respectively (Kankara, 2002). Elsewhere within the state iron ore of about 300,000 tones are found in the forests of Dutsin-ma and Ingawa. Marble of 33,333,000 tones is also found in the forest of Jibia and Malumfashi (KTSG, 2005). There are over 20 mineral deposits found both, in Commercial. and not in commercial quantities across the state (Kankara 2002). Although the vegetation here has suffered a great deprivation. The landscape is less generously covered with plants, although it is denser in (he Southern part. Trees like acacia, the dum palm, silk cotton and baobab, which are of economic importance, are characteristics of the area. The silk cotton is the tallest and grow to a height of 9 to 15 meters. It produces the silk cotton (Kapok) used locally in stuffing mattresses and pillows (Kankara, 2002). The dum palm is the only branching palm in the area. The plants in the northern part are said to be drought resistant and mostly sparsely distributed. Some of them are Dorowa (Pakkii oliveri), Kadanya (butryrosprum parkii); Kuka (Gdansonia digitata); Marke (Anoigeisus schimpari) and Giginiya (Africana). Wood caving local industry was an old and important local industry all over the state, due to availability of carving materials especially in the southern part where larger trees grow like Pauwa forest reserve were trees like Kirya (prosopiso-blonga); Marke (Anorgeisus schimpaji) and Kandara (swartyia madagascariensis) were available. These trees were used by cavers in making various local utensils of great durability. Among them were mortar makers ('Yanturmi) whom produce household utensils like pestle, wooden spoon, wooden dish, (Akushi) etc (Kankara, 2002). ' The woods are also useful in furniture making. Softwoods among them can be used in papermaking. The reserves are also homes to a phenomenal range of animals and plants, because they are important for nature study, recreation and tourism for revenue generation by the government (Ladan, 2005). Wild animals were said to exist especially in the western mountainous areas. Examples are Pauwa and Zango forests, but they moved to Rugu forest (in Safana area) in the 19th century due to human, physical and environmental interferences such as hunting, forest clearances for agriculture activities (Kankara, 2002). Forest areas in the state are also potential for national parks/Botanical or zoological gardens. In line with the aims and aspirations of the national wild life policy, National resources conservation council, and the Federal Environmental protection Agency decree No. 50 and 58 both of 1989 and. decree No.11 of 1985 on endangered species. There is a great need to conserve the remaining local animals and plant species in the state. The state is currently among the few states that has no wild life conservation unit, game sanctuary, game reserve, botanical or zoological garden park. In view of the above, CAREFOR (Campaign For Recreation And Forest Conservation) in its capacity as a Non- governmental environmental organization, that operate as a charitable trust on Nature conservation in the state, wishes to collaborate with KATSEPA in the mobilizations of the general public, with other governmental agencies, or concerned international organization to donate/ contribute money to raise enough finds to revive or rehabilitate degraded Giginya plantation located between Kofar Durbi and Kofar Sauri in Katsina city (KATSEPA, 2006) and KTARDA, 2004) to enable for its conversion into Botanical garden so that visitors and tourist can be attracted from far and wide (EEC/ FGN, 1998). The forests are also important habitat in the global climate because they absorb, carbon dioxide, thus reducing heat and releasing oxygen gas into the air through transpiration, which aid rain formation (EEC/FGN, 1998). They also provided fruits, .barks, leaves, etc. which are used as foods and herbs for diseases curing such as malaria fever, yellow fever, cholera, etc. (Anyanelulu, 2005). They also provide the most effective anti-erosion control. Some thick forests break the force of falling rain before it reaches the ground. The leaves falling from the trees litter the floor of the forest and later decompose to add to the fertility of the soil. They also play important roles in the protection of water catchments areas, thus conserving water resources, (KATSEPA, 2006). The exciting varieties of plants and animal life that exist can make the areas to be a better land for tourism and recreation. They can also be used for education, on the nature of life in the forests that is nature study and research by scientists on the forest plants and animals. They also mitigate the effects of natural hazards, like floods, tropical storms, etc they also provide raw materials to lumbering activities and industries. This is a leading export in Cote D’ivoire, DR Congo, Nigeria, Brazil, Peru and even advanced nations such as Belgium (Paturi, 1995). Current statues of Forest in the State as at 2007 Deforestation and forest degradation in the state led to many consequences (See Table I). The forests are the richest biotic environments in terms of number of plant and animal species (Anyanelulu, 2005). This loss of forest causes extinction of increasing number of these species, and forest degradation leads to serious reduction in the genetic diversity of others (KATSEPA, 1995). This loss of forests affect many people through increased flooding, soil erosion and silting of waterways. Drought, shortage of fuel woods and displacement of communities (Olofin, 2000). The destruction of the forests undermines the basic operations of the ecosystem and may cause an irreversible change. Deforestation remains the serious environmental problem facing Katsina state. Forest in the state have traditionally provided various economic products which included timber, traditional hunting and. non-wood products gathering, and fuel wood. This deforestation in the state has generally led to declines in accessibility of both the wood and wood productions (Olori, 2006). This is especially marked in the increased efforts needed for' fuel wood and forest product gathering. Increased pressures on the forest reserves have reduced the habitat for wild life, and where the habitat is still intact; reduce its availability from over hunting (Babsal and Co. 1998). Biodiversity, in its variety of forms, stabilizes the natural environment and provided the building blocks for agriculture, the basis of all human economies. Biodiversity provides the basic needs for food, water, fuel, medicine and raw materials for industries (KATSEPA, 2001). Major factors responsible for biodiversity loss in the state included habitat destruction, (See Table I) population intensive cultivation, oven-exploitation, overgrazing (Yusuf, 2003), fire, genetic erosion, etc. Drastic changes in climate are the natural activities causing deforestation in the state (Cunningham, 2003). Human activities have also been identified as a major cause of biodiversity loss and deforestation in the state (Yusuf, 2000). An example is the states government institutioning of a committee in 1992 to investigate the wanton destruction of forest reserves in the state (Anyanelulu, 2005). The table below gives detail of illegal land acquisition and encroachment of forest reserves, communal forest areas and grazing grounds as at June 1992 (Yusuf 2000). Table 1: Area and Nature of Encroachment Local govt. Area of Encroachment Nature of Encroachment Bakori a. Jare Forest Reserve b. 12 Communal Forest Areas 28 persons were illegally farming for 3years Overtaken by illegal farms and settlements Bindawa (a) Tuwaru Forest Reserve (b) Yangora Forest Reserve (c) 8 Communal forest Areas 200 persons illegally settled on it. 10 families illegally settled in it. Illegal settlement, farming, NDE and legions farming scheme. Danja (a) Tandama Forest Reserve (b) Dabai Forest Reserve (c) Most of the Communal Forest Areas. Large area illegally farmed by one Alhaji, a business tycoon in Funtua. Part of it is illegally occupied by a Village Head and his 5 brothers. Shows visible sign of serious encroachment Faskari (a) Kogo Forest Reserve (b)Wakataba and 9 other Communal Forest Area 1,000 hectares cleared and lying waste and since 1990 has become personal farms of highly placed officials. Completely taken over by farms and settlements. Funtua (a) Tudun lya Forest Reserve (b) Daudawa Communal Forest (c) Tumburkai Communal Forest Area Plantation project Farming Farming by several persons. Kafur (a) Huguma/Gozaki Forest Reserve (b) Dankwaro Communal Forest Area. Some Fulani families erected semi permanent structures and have been living for 10 years. A farming scheme Kankara (a) Tudun Mani Forest Reserve (b) Kukasheka Communal Forest Area. Sarkin Noma still farming in it, despite signed undertaking to vacate by end of 1989. Farming by various persons. Malumfashi (a) Yarmama Forest Reserve (b) Karfi, Ruwan Sanyi, Borindawa and Yartalata Forest Reserves Illegal farming by some persons Suffer gradual destruction through illegal allocation and farming. Rimi a. Rukudda Forest Reserve b. Radda Forest Reserve c. Koda Forest Reserve d. 18 out of 23 communal forest areas. Illegal occupation and farming by Rukuda, Magaje, Karare and Maradu Villagers A large part sold to a large scale farmer. Illegal occupation and farming. Encroached through farming and settlement Safana a. Yantumaki Forest Reserve b. Ruma/Kukar Jangarai c. 15 out of 18 Communal Forest Areas. * Illegal farming by 31 people * Illegal allocation to 16 people ( a portion) * A part leased to Dutsin-Ma construction on an annual rent of N33,000 which it did not pay for 3years. * 1036 hectares allocated for SAP relief farming. * 30 hectares illegally added to the official 50 hectare pasture land. A large part destroyed and deforested. Converted into farms or settlements. Zango (a) Yanduna Forest Reserve. (b) All Communal Forest Reserve. N.D.E and legion farming scheme. Encroachment and destruction. Source: Field investigation, December 2007 Government Policy and Legislation There is no reference that is made directly to the world environment in the 1979 constitution and this omission has spurred on arguments as to which tier of government has exclusive jurisdiction to make environmental legislation (Ladan, 2004). Some argue that it is only the Federal Government that can legislate on the environment. Others are of the opinion that the states and local governments are responsible for municipal waste and public health matters and as such can also make legislation on environmental matters (Babsal & Co., 1998). Katsina State has several laws, which impact the environment. Many of these laws were pre-independence legislation, which were of general application to the whole of Northern Region with little or no fundamental amendments (KATSEPA, 1995). These laws also continued to apply when Katsina State, as it is today formed part of Kaduna State. With the creation of Katsina State these laws automatically became part of the states’ legislation without any significant review (KATSEPA, 2001) Conclusion A swift look at forest reserves in Katsina State has been made. Concern for the forest reserves are indispensable aspect of concern for humanity. It has been clearly observed and proved with statistics that within and around the study area problems relating to forest reserves abound. Forests conservation is one sector that plays an important role in national Development. It is now left for Katsina State and the Government of the Federation to fully safeguard and manage our forest in developing the National economy. This is necessary as the country has to diversify her sources of income. Dependence on oil (while neglecting other sources) being a perishable commodity holds danger to the future of Nigeria. Since environmental protection and management has become an agenda in global economic development Nigeria has to take up the race (Ladan, 2007). The benefits of reserves management are countless for a country like Nigeria whose climatic conditions are favorable to the growth of forests (ICPC, 2002). Recommendations: The government should establish tighter controls on fuel wood extractions from reserves. Community management of fuel wood resources should also be encouraged. There should also be reforms in forestry, land and tree tenure policy and afforestation, agro-forestry and environmental education programs promotion. Enforcement review and update of strong anti bushfire should be done. Also promotion of local participation in forest management should be done The Government should develop economic incentives and policy commitments to support protected areas, by providing economic incentives for local communities around protected areas to conserve biodiversity and reduce encroachment. Conservation education and conservation clubs should be formed. The International agencies along with the state Government should strengthen capacity of national parks services to manage protected areas and control poaching. There should be a change in agricultural production practices. There should be the use of shelterbelts. Researches on- sustainable agricultural technology, communal land management and support traditional communal land management and introduction of grazing fees should be done. The government must establish an effective and representative protected areas system and buffer zones management. Law and order should be enacted by the government, to halt individual people and or Societies that think they are above the law, from cutting down the forest woods or clearing them for farming or otherwise. Formulae can be adopted to sustain their existence because sustainable development attempts to bridge the divide between economic growth and environmental protection. If done, can support economic growth of the forests and enhance biodiversity at the same time. References Anyanelulu,. Y. (2005) Introduction to Environmental Science. Bs Publications Hyderabad, India. Pp 99, 186-187, 502 - 503. Babsal and Co. (1998) Katsina State Environmental Action Plan, Final Report Babsal and Co. (2001) Katsina State Environmental Action Plan, Final Report of FEPA, under World Bank assisted programme. Babsal and Co. Ltd. Ikeja, Lagos. Cunningham, W.P., and Saigo, B. W. (2003) Environmental Science: A global concern. 7th edition, McGraw Hill, Boston USA, pp29, 441, 464. 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