Abstract
Globally, illegal practices in forest regions are a major concern due to its severe negative social environmental and economic impacts. The study assessed the perception of forest stakeholders on illegal practices prevalent in the rainforest of Cross River State, Nigeria. The population of the study comprised two groups of forest stakeholders, rural dwellers in forest communities and forest officers. A multistage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 265 respondents for the study. The study adopted a mixed method research design – employing both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Data were collected from the respondents using a structured interview schedule, focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews. Data for the study were presented using percentage and mean scores. The forms of illegal forest practices under illegal occupation of forestlands practices as identified by both forest communities and forest officers were practices of slash and burn on forestlands (= 2.73 and= 3.55), and invasion of public forested lands for agriculture (= 2.42 and = 3.10) respectively, among other forms of illegal forest practices. The perceived effects of illegal logging on forest communities were decrease in soil fertility/crop output (= 1.92), loss of source of income (= 1.70) and loss of jobs by rural people (= 1.42), among others. The major challenges to enforcement of strict forest governance against illegal logging by the forestry department were underfunding (=1.95), government’s lack of political will to act (= 1.78) and the challenges of logistics (= 1.78). There is prevalence of various forms of illegal practices in the rainforest irrespective of the existing logging ban policy as a result of many challenges to enforcement of strict forest governance against illegal logging activities by the forestry department. It was recommended that the government should review its logging moratorium policy by lifting the ban on logging and unearth alternative ways to conserve and protect the rainforest if her goal of sustainable forest management is to be achieved
