ABSTRACT

The study assessed the existing resources, utilization, and associated problems with Eme River Forest Reserve in Uzuakoli, Abia State, Nigeria. Data for this research  was gotten from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was be collected through field surveys, interviews, and questionnaire administered to the local communities, forest guards, and forest resource users. Secondary data  was   gotten from published and unpublished reports, books, journals, and government documents. Data analysis was conducted using   descriptive   statistical methods. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data collected from the questionnaires  Tree/plant resources in Eme River forest reserve  identified by respondents in Eme River  Forest reserve  include:  Irvingia garbonensis, Irvingia excelsa, Treculia africana, Cola acuminata, Chrysophyllum albidum,  Piper guineense ,  Parkia biglobosa, Dialium guineense , Afzelia africana , Pentaclethra macrophylla, Garcinia kola and Pterocarpus santalinoides. Animals and Non wood resources Available in  Eme River Forest Reserve. These included Apis mellifera, Thryonomys swinderianus, Numida meleagris, Kinixys spp, Columbina spp, Achatina achatina/marginata, Termite alates  and  python regius. 8.18% of the respondents indicated poverty and unemployment as the challenges facing the management of resources in Eme River Forest Reserve. 82.73%, 79.09%, 77.27% and 76.35% indicated over-harvesting of the resources, inconsistent government policies, deforestation and no strict laws that are binding on offenders or defaulters respectively as the challenges facing the management of  resources in Eme River Forest Reserve. It is concluded that the forest resources in Eme River forest reserve include but  tree/plant spices,  non woody materials and animal species. This study has shown that all the forest resources  in Eme River forest reserve are being over exploited as the demand for forest resources are high  leading to various uses of the  resources  for which some include sources of food, raw material for handicrafts, building materials, cultural and recreational purposes and wood. It was observed that the forest resources have contributed to the survival of most inhabitants in the area. These resources have been the major source of food, drugs, spiritual and cultural materials to respondents. The study shows that poverty /unemployment, ignorance and illegal exploitation are the major challenges facing the management of forest resources in Eme River Forest reserve. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the State Government through its Ministry of Environment and tourism should come up with  awareness and sensitization campaign on the negative consequences of  excessive exploitation of forest resources in Eme River Forest Reserve.