Full List Of Forest Reserves In Nigeria & Their Locations
A forest reserve is an extensive area of land covered with trees that has been set aside by the government because of its importance to the local plant and animal life. Forest reserves are not to be mistaken with the predominant vegetation of a certain area; rather, they are maintained for conservation purposes and provide unique chances for study or research, and and we will be looking at the full list of all forest reserves in Nigeria and their locations.
There are several forest reserves in Nigeria that are very important to the government. It is forbidden to hunt down animals or cut down trees in such areas since doing so would seriously jeopardize the ecology and have a negative impact on the environment as a whole. There are 10 primary forest reserves in the nation; we will go into more detail about each of them as this article progresses. Please follow along.
LIST OF ALL FOREST RESERVES IN NIGERIA AND WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED
Below are listed the 10 primary forest reserves in Nigeria today and their locations:
AFI RIVER FOREST RESERVE
One of the biggest forest reserves in Nigeria currently is the Afi River Forest Reserve. Situated in the Okwangwo division of Cross River State, this huge forest reserve is situated immediately west of Cross River National Park, within the country’s southeast geopolitical zone. The center-north of the Afi River Forest Reserve is home to the hilly terrain that is extensively carved out by rivers and streams. The reserve boasts a breathtaking landscape, with the Afi Mountain serving as its highest point.
Because of its lowland Guinea-Congo rainforest vegetation, the Afi River Forest Reserve is essential for the development of tourism, wildlife preservation, and production forestry. Parts of the reserve are also used for the cultivation of cash crops, such as bananas, cocoa, kolanut, and cocoyam, which is the primary food source in the region. Yam and cassava are also grown there, but due to low fertility, the land is left fallow for up to 15 years after about three years of cultivation. At this sizable forest reserve in Nigeria, the dry season runs from November to February, and the annual rainfall average ranges from 2,000 to 2,500 mm.
AKURE FOREST RESERVE
Situated in the capital city of Ondo State, one of the Yoruba-speaking states in the southwest of the nation, Akure is home to the government-protected Akure Forest Reserve. The government has designated this specific geographical area for preservation due to the previous indiscriminate deforestation that occurred here, which had a severe detrimental effect on the ecosystem.
EDUMANOM FOREST RESERVE
The country’s Niger-Delta Area is home to the Edumanom Forest Reserve. This forest reserve area contains portions of forests used by the Emago-Kugbo community in Rivers State and overlaps the local government areas of Ogbia and Nembe in Bayelsa State. The 87 square kilometer forest reserve is home to remnant populations of critically endangered primates, including Sclater’s guenon and Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzees.
IDANRE FOREST RESERVE
The Idanre Forest Reserve is situated in the South-Western part of the country, in the Idanre local government area of Ondo. This 561 square kilometer nature reserve, which is classified as a lowland rainforest by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is situated between 10 and 400 meters above sea level.
NGEL NYAKI FOREST RESERVE
The Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve is situated in Taraba State, one of Nigeria’s northern states, some 50 kilometers north of the Cameroonian border. A colony of the uncommon and endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees lives in this reserve. This forest area is home to an estimated 11–13 adult interbreeding group of chimpanzees. The putty-nosed monkey and mona are among the other primates that can be found in this forest reserve. Common birds include turacos, green bulbul, double-toothed barbets, and Cameroon olive pigeons.
The streams that are covered in forests are home to a large number of Astacopsis freshwater crayfish. Birdlife has designated Ngel Nyaki as an Important Bird Area. Of international concern are the near threatened Crossley’s ground-thrush and the IUCN-vulnerable Bannerman’s weaver. Tony Disley observed 158 species of birds on the Mambilla Plateau between November 13 and December 22, 2003, several of which were found within the Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve.
OBA HILLS FOREST RESERVE
Situated in Osun State, the Oba Hills forest reserve covers an area of more than 52 square kilometers. There are endangered chimpanzee species in this reserve, and some reports indicate that the chimpanzee population may be extinct or very close to it. According to a 2009 assessment, there were just two gullies that are covered in forest, and nearly the entire reserve had been turned into plantations and farms. The height of this reserve is 253 meters above sea level.
OKOMU FOREST RESERVE
One of the largest forest reserves in Nigeria is the Okomu Forest Reserve, which is located in Edo State, around 50 kilometers west of Benin City, the state capital. It has an area of 1081 square kilometers. A small portion of the forests that formerly covered the area are preserved in the Okomu National Park, which is located inside the reserve. It serves as many endangered animals’ last remaining home. This sizable forest reserve, a popular ecotourism destination, is home to more than 200 kinds of birds.
OLUWA FOREST RESERVE
Another forest reserve located in Ondo State is the Oluwa forest reserve. It is one of the biggest forest reserves in the country, with a total land area of 829 square kilometers. As a result of indiscriminate hunting and poaching, the reserve is home to a few endangered wildlife species. Chimpanzees and elephants are two of these animal species.
ISE FOREST RESERVE
Ise Forest Reserve is a small reserve in Ekiti State in the southwest of the nation, covering an area of roughly 46 square kilometers. The Ogbesse River and the Ondo-Ekiti border form the western boundaries of this forest reserve. In South Western Nigeria, the Ise Forest Reserve is regarded as a major priority region for the protection of Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzees. Nevertheless, the reserve is under threat from over-logging and land clearing for illicit marijuana crops. Despite this, it continues to be extremely important for the preservation of animals and, more importantly, for the maintenance of ecological services in this area.
OKELUSE FOREST RESERVE
Ondo State is home to the Okeluse Forest Reserve. This reserve has a total land size of 144 square kilometers and an estimated terrain elevation of 68 meters above sea level. The Okeluse Forest Reserve is home to numerous endangered animal species, just like many other forest reserves in Nigeria.
