Community forest management by Ekuri community
Case Study C0008
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| Date | 2004 |
| Agency | Ekuri community |
| Donor/support agency | Ford foundation IUCN IROKO foundation and others |
| Project type | Self implemented |
| Context(s) | Community conserved area |
| Geographic coverage | Nigeria |
| Locality | Cross River state |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/Landscape |
| Development focus | Ekuri people of Old Ekuri and New Ekuri villages |
| Conservation goals | Conservation and managemnt of community forest in a sustainable manner |
| Poverty reduction goals | Development and poverty reduction of Ekuri community |
Summary
The Ekuri community with a population of around 6000, inhabits two villages of Old Ekuri and New Ekuri on the edge of Cross River National Park in Nigeria. This community established an organisation 'The Ekuri Initiative' in 1992, and since then has been involved in the management of a 33600 ha of communal forest land. Before that, communities use to sell timber and other forest products to middlemen at low prices as there was no access to markets. People had to walk for four hours to reach a road. The community was trying to contract with logging companies to exchange the forest timber with a road. But once Cross River National Park was created in 1990, conditions changed thanks to the help of park authorities. After proper trainings, people have started selling timber and other forest products to the city market with much higher profits. Communities have also introduced a tax system for middle men for the harvest of non timber forest products. All the money goes to community bank accounts, which is then used for community development works. So far, with this money, a 30 km long metal road linking the communities to market was built, contribution towards the health centre in the village and payment of university and school fees were made. Furthermore, this initiative has helped community women to form a cooperative which runs a micro credit scheme and process the agricultural produce for sale in the market. Due to development and increase in income, the community has been able to resist the temptation of selling to logging companies and is successfully managing the forest.
Conservation impact
Successful mangement of over 33000 ha of one of the most biodiverse rainforest in west Africa
Poverty reduction impact
With this money, a 30 km long metal road linking the communities to market was built, contribution towards the health centre in the village and payment of university and school fees were made.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Local conservation enterprise opportunities
Facilitating access to markets
Reference 1
http://www.equatorinitiative.net/files/2004-0030_Nom_EkuriInitiative_Nigeria.doc
More information
Chief Edwin Ogar, Ekuri Initiativ, 38 Ndidem Usang Iso Road (Desam House, 1st floor), Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria Phone: 234, 87234, Email: ekuri1@yahoo.com
Related records above this one:
- Ford Foundation (Organisation O0023)
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) (Organisation O0046)