Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (WNAD)

Project Code: 048-502-003	Start Date: 01-Jan-91	End Date: 01-Dec-94
Commitment: £2,613,000	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
Nigeria's once abundant tropical high forests have shrunk rapidly over the last twenty years under the combined pressure of steadily increasing demand for farmland from a continually growing population and the commercial exploitation of its timber resources on a non-sustainable basis. Management of the natural forest for sustained yield has largely broken down and plantation programmes have not been sufficient to compensate for the loss.

Cross River State has the most extensive area of mature, relatively unlogged tropical high forests still left in Nigeria, (approximately 7,000 square kilometres). They are rich in species and are of high conservation value. They contain many commercial timber species and the timber industry makes an important contribution to the state economy. The forests also produce a great variety of non-timber products which are extremely important as a source of income and subsistence materials for rural families.

Project Objectives:
To improve management and conservation of the forest resources of Cross River State.

Intended Outputs:
Map and management plan of State's forest resources. Local inventories and management plan for priority areas. Forest Policy reform proposals. 900ha taungya clearings reafforested. 600km forest reserve boundary demarcated. Twelve forest guard posts. Forestry staff trained. Agroforestry, non-timber products studies. Pilot agroforestry/community forest management schemes.