Research
Conflicts as indices to evaluating the effectiveness of natural resources conservation in the Cross River National Park, Nigeria
Despite the legislative frameworks put in place to enable the preservation of natural resources, it is discovered that conflicts undermine the sustainable conservation ofnatural resources. The paper examines the nature and intensity of conflicts within the Park while highlighting the critical causes for conflicts within the area. A total of three hundred and ninetyfive questionnaires were distributed to eight study communities and the National Park management to elicit information on the factors that account for conflicts in the park. Findings show that conflicts exist in the park owing to a number of factors which include park location and objection of the communities to the restrictions imposed on access to natural resources. These collectively manifest as threats to the communities and the park objectives. The factors accounting for this are identified to include lack of adequate employment of community members by Park management, lack of compensation by the park management to community, unemployment, closeness of park boundary to communities and the restrictions of livelihood sources of the communities. The study advocates for community enlightenment, and the adoption of participatory approaches in creating and managing the National Park.
Urban poverty and residential environment degradation in Calabar Area of Cross River State, Nigeria
In recent times the problem of environmental degradation of urban areas in Nigeria has reached an unprecedented proportion. This phenomenon which is prevalent in both residential and industrial areas is caused by increased population growth, unsustainable use of resources, rapid industrialization, unemployment, income inadequacies as well as inefficient or non-existing waste management strategies. This study examines the contributions of poverty as a reflection of income inadequacies and disparity to the availability of waste disposal facilities and its role in environmental degradation in Calabar urban area. The research objectives are achieved though the identification of the disparity in household income distribution. An assessment of the quality and quantity of waste disposal facilities available to housing units is made using primary and secondary data. The findings reveal a wide pattern of disparity in household income and waste disposal facilities. It is observed that the high density residential areas of Calabar South Local Government are not well served in waste management facilities resulting in environment degradation. The medium and low density residential areas within the municipality are better served resulting in proper waste management. The opinion of residents within the urban area is that government should be solely responsible for waste management.
