IMPACT OF DEFORESTATION ON THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF PEOPLE IN OKUN AREA OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the impacts of deforestation on the economic activities of the people of Okun Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty respondents were randomly selected from a total of 15 towns and villages from three of the five local Government Areas (LGAs) that make up the area. Ten respondents were randomly selected from each of the 15 towns and villages. Both descriptive statistics and Chi square analysis were used in the study. People in the study area perceived that deforestation has caused significant loss in soil fertility, water scarcity as well as non availability of wild fruits and vegetables. The study also showed that there was a significant relationship between age, education level, marital status, religion and their perception of the influence of deforestation on their economic activities. Only their gender was not significant. Hence the null hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between people’s perception on deforestation and their socioeconomic characteristics holds for gender and is rejected for age, marital status, education and religio