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History of the Okomu Forest Reserve
Okomu Forest Reserve was gazetted in 1912. It covers an area of 180,100 hectares and is located in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. The Okomu Forest Reserve houses the Okomu National Park which supports a variety of fauna and flora species, some of which are critically endangered and others are endemic to the region. The Okomu National Park was initially created as a Wildlife Sanctuary in July 1985 by the State Government and was extended further at the southern end in 1990. By 1994, the sanctuary was converted to a National Park. At the time of reservation, there were about forty (40) enclaves that existed within the Okomu Forest Reserve
Past Management Efforts in the Okomu Forest Reserve
Originally, Okomu Forest Reserve was intended to be managed as a source of timber, because of its abundant mahogany species. In 1940, systematic rotational logging and taungya farming activities were introduced. In 1945-1969, a working plan for Natural Forest was prepared by the Colonial Masters for the period of 50-year felling circle and subsequent division of the forest areas into compartments of 256 hectares each. In view of this, allowable yearly renewal permit was granted to timber concessionaires to extract timber species from the forest reserve.
Degradation of the Okomu Forest Landscape
Over the years, human activities have caused unprecedented changes in the ecosystem and environmental process in Okomu Forest Reserve. These changes have created a loss of biodiversity and have also resulted in environmental degradation. The taungya system of regenerating valuable tree species in the forest management scheme led to the destruction of the forest because local farmers cut and farmed the original forest cover without the valuable trees being planted especially in the riverine region.
The enclaves which existed at the time of reservation have increased in number and size due to a number of factors including agricultural and other livelihood activities.
Most parts of the forest reserve are being degraded at an alarming rate occasioned by excessive removal of trees and this trend would continue unless actions are taken immediately to reverse the trend. In a response to this challenge, IDH through the NISCOPS program
has convened actors and stakeholders in the Okomu landscape for concerted effort towards management of the resources for a sustainable ecosystem.
Opportunity for Restoration and Sustainable Utilization
There is a protected area within the forest - The Okomu National Park which by law should not be exploited. Although under threat, the park presents opportunity to conserve valuable flora and fauna such as the white throated monkey, elephants and others.
The presence of private companies engaging in oil palm and rubber plantations presents opportunity explored to ensure sustainability standards in the landscape and investments in conservation. Similarly, smallholder oil palm and rubber farms can be included in sustainable land management, while governance structures can be jointly developed by all actors to ensure compliance, with the state government taking the lead in the process.
Governance Structure
Through IDH NISCOPS program, the actors in the landscape have come together under a coalition (a.k.a Compact), to address the challenges facing the forest. The Compact has an Implementation Committee (IC) chaired by the Edo State Forestry Commission which serves as the secretariat. The IC operates under the provisions of a Terms of Reference jointly developed by the actors.
The Edo State Forestry Commission was established and signed into law in 2022 with the mandate to manage the forest reserves in Edo State. There are over 40 other forest reserves in Edo State. The commission is currently implementing a 10-year strategic plan (2023 - 2033) for the restoration of forest reserves in Edo state.
The Implementation Committee
The Implementation committee is constituted by members of the Compact in the following categories:
1. Core members
2. Alternate members
(Details of the IC operational guidlines can be found in the Terms of Reference)
The Multiparty Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Members of the Compact are signatories to a multiparty MoU that outlines goals and key performance indicators for the Okomu Forest Landscape within a stipulated time.
Field Level Implementation
Actors in the landscape be it private, public sector or donor organizations implement activities under the Compact either in partnerships or as individuals, but give account of their achievements under the Compact in line with the set goals. This approach has strengthened collective action and inclusion.