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Online ISSN : 2349-8080 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorinchiefijcrbp@gmail.com |
Population growth has become a major force behind contemporary environmental degradation in many rural and urban environments. Based on this perspective, this survey examines the impact of human population growth on the forest ecosystem with specific reference to human impact on forest resource exploitation in Idenau, South-west region, Cameroon. Data collection was done by questionnaire administration. The questionnaire administration process witnessed an oral interview to the respondents targeted for the survey. The questionnaires were given to all the respondents and collected some days later. The collected data was analysed by using chi-square and correlation statistical models. The study shows a correlation (r² = 0.092 at p<0.05) between crop cultivation and the human population increase. The survey has also shown a significant correlation relation (r² =0.957 at p<0.05) between the conservation awareness and fuel-wood usage at homes in the study area. Moreso, the study has shown a correlation between fuel-wood usage and extreme weather changes (r² = 0.668 at p<0.05). The participation of the local inhabitants of Idenau in climate change mitigation and occupation correlated (r2 = 0.868 at p<0.05) significantly as well. Furthermore, the study has recorded a correlation (r² = 0.620 at p<0.05) between gender and agricultural practices. This survey revealed that poverty, lack of awareness on environmental education, human population increase, and unemployment of the youth have pushed the people of Idenau into wildlife-hunting, gathering, and the farming of rainforest of mount Cameroon national park despite the conservation policy restrictions.
