Can you manage wildlife in alienated lands? Tenure conflicts in protected forests in Nigeria

Most of the protected forests in Nigeria were forcefully reserved without the consent of indigenous landowners. With increase in population lands outside reservation areas are in short supply to meet legitimate needs of the people. The study investigates how wildlife management has thrived amidst land use conflicts. Data were derived through a cross-sectional survey. Results of data analyses indicated that: (i) wildlife cannot be successfully managed and sustained in alienated forestlands; and (ii) conflict in protected forest management cannot be resolved at moment. New forms of ownership and people oriented right-based management that accounts for the culture and traditions of the people should be put in place by the Ministries of Environment.