SCOTLAND’S FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTLOOK: A LESSON FOR ENHANCED SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN YOBE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper presents a report of seven visited forest communities,
agencies, and private organizations in Scotland undertaken by
postgraduate forest business management students from Yobe, Nigeria.
The excursion visit aimed at understanding the forest management
perspective in Scotland and evaluate its applicability in the forest sector
in Yobe, Nigeria. Qualitative data were obtained through field
observations, discussions and presentations delivered by various
stakeholders. The data of the study was analyzed using content analysis.
The findings revealed that forests in Scotland are both owned and
managed by individuals, family, public, and private firms as opposed to
public forest management in Yobe, and regardless to ownership status of
the forest and plantations, forest management focused on all the three
aspects of sustainability comprising timber and wood production and
processing, and employment) (Economic), recreations, education,
ecotourism (social), restoration and reclamation of degraded land, in-
situ and ex-situ conservation of trees and wildlife (environment). Most
importantly, system approach to management is a conspicuous
characteristics of the forest sector as all units and partners were involved
in planning decision making. Additionally, decision making is bottom-up
approach in Scotland unlike the existing top-down approach in Yobe.
The study also observed the presence of effective and cordial partnership
between government agencies, private owners, individual forest owners,
and communities that ensure benefit sharing of the forest goods and
services. The Scotland’s forest management style, perspective and
approach can be borrowed and implemented in Yobe for enhanced
sustainable forest management.