Socio-economic Impact of Commercial Production of Rosewood (P. erinaceus) in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

The logging of P. erinaceus popularly known as the African rosewood has increased at an unprecedented rate in recent times in Taraba State. This is in spite of the fact that the tree is a protected species, a status which made felling/local consumption and export of the species strictly prohibited. Despite the unprecedented exploitation of the tree, no research has been done in the state to understand and document the dynamics of rosewood exploitation in terms of the harvest, trade, revenue and benefit sharing as well as the socioeconomic impacts in the State. This study has examined the dynamics of rosewood production and trade in Taraba state. Data for the study were generated through the use of interview schedule and discussion with forestry officials, local community members and key informants in the study area. The findings of the study shows that this high exploitation of P. erinaceus is like a ‘rush for gold’ in which the activity is highly organized in a coordinated network that have defied all existing forestry regulations in the State. The exploitation of the log wood provided employment opportunity to many young unemployed youths in the area, thereby alleviating poverty of the rural communities grappling with endemic poverty. Almost every member of the communities involved benefitted directly or indirectly from the rosewood exploitation activities. The high revenue generated by the government, forestry officials and traditional rulers gave legitimacy to the logging activities and explains why the activity persisted despite the existing forest regulations. The activities have resulted in the depletion of the rosewood species in the early sites and a shift to other parts of the State. This has resulted in loss of biodiversity, animal fodder and important timber resources in the State. The study recommends enforcement of forestry legislation and banning of rosewood export in all forms.