Abstract: Deforestation is experienced all over the world and every country has had fair problems associated to it. The issue of global warming, climate change, poor soil fertility and wildlife extinction are some of the problems experienced in all parts of the world as a result of deforestation.
Perceptions of causes of deforestation vary depending on the causative agents. While people perceive population growth, hunger and poverty to be the root causes of deforestation, others also believe deforestation is caused by lack of alternative economic livelihood in the forest communities where the forest serves as a sole source of food, income and employment.
The study was conducted in Sissala West District of Ghana, to find out the perceptions of causes of deforestation in the district. The methods used for data collection were interviews, focus group discussion and key informant Interview. The findings of the research revealed that, population growth, high illiteracy rate, poverty, hunger and lack of alternative economic livelihoods were perceived as the underlying causes of deforestation in the district. It was also realised that the main economic activities of the indigenes were farming, hunting, charcoal burning, which result in destroying large areas of land because they do not take any measures to conserve the forest in search of their daily bread.
Among the recommendations suggested were enforcement of bye-laws, education on effects of deforestation, afforestation projects and agroforestry practice. Provision of vocational/technical training centres, access to credit facilities and provision of irrigation facilities for dry season gardening were seen as good interventions that could reduce the pressure on the forest land.
Keywords: Deforestation, Farmers, Charcoal burners, Hunters, Perceived causes, Alternative livelihood.
Title: Perceptions of Causes of Deforestation in the Sissala West District
Author: CLIFFORD JAMES FAGARIBA, OSEI WUSU -BREMPONG Jnr
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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