Evaluation of Conflicts and Parks Management in The Utilization of Natural Resources in Nigeria

Aim of study: National parks establishment was stimulated by conservation. However, conflicts exist with park managers and rustic communities hosting the park. The need to regulate utilization of forest resources by man to ensuring peaceful coexistence becomes necessary. Area of study: Okomu National Park, Edo State, Nigeria was the study area. Material and methods: One hundred and fifty respondents from host communities and 20 staff of Okomu National Park were randomly selected and structured questionnaire administered to them. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Main results: Most (86.0%) of community member were aware of law guiding park but were adamant (40.0%) regardless of awareness creation by park officers (80.0%). Destruction of farms by fauna and inability of park managers to fulfill their social responsibilities (20.0%) (Staff) and inability of park to carry out social responsibility (20.0%) (communities) were the major conflict sources. Dialog (26.0%) and intensive support zone programme (20.0%) were suggested by community and staff respectively for peaceful coexistence. Highlights: Conflicts were evident between host communities and park management. The underlying cause is deprivation of host communities from accessing resources and parks manager inability to fulfill their social responsibilities. Conflict resolution method of supply of palliative/benefit from park to communities will aid parks conservation.