Oba Hills Forest Reserve is a reserve in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria, that covers about 52 km2 of hilly terrain with deep gorges. Oba Hill Forest Reserve is a small enclave encompassing three hills with a wide valley running in between. A large teak plantation is there on its western side, covering about 12% of its total area[1] beyond the hills. Only coppices are left on the over-exploited plantation. According to a UICN report from 2003, about 12% of the reserve had been planted with teak.[2] Some chimpanzee sightings had been reported, and in 1999, a dead chimp was offered for sale in a local market.[3] A 2009 report said that almost all of the reserve had been converted to plantations and farms, with only two gullies remaining forest-covered. It is now believed that chimpanzees are nearly extinct in the reserve.[4]
It is located at an elevation of 253 meters above sea level.[5] Oba Hill Forest Reserve occupies 5,250 hectares of land with an abundance of significant plant and animal species and five hills that have significant ecological importance, which will surely help in the re-introduction and adaptation of important animal species and other uniquely important features.[6] The Oba Forest Reserve is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including various species of trees, plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. The forest ecosystem supports the survival and conservation of several endangered and endemic species. The reserve plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region. It helps regulate the local climate, control soil erosion, and preserve water resources by acting as a natural watershed. The forest also provides various ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and habitat for wildlife.
Tree canopy from above in Oba Hills Forest Reserve
Oba Hill Forest Reserve is a tiny area made up of three hills connected by a broad valley. On its western side, beyond the hills, there is a sizable teak plantation that makes up roughly 12% of its whole area, with only coppices left on the over-exploited plantation.[7] Re-generation is impeded by the vegetation that burned back during the dry season. The northern hill features two gullies on its eastern side and some surviving woods or forest on its peak. The side that is wooded with extraordinarily large trees is possibly inaccessible because one of these has been completely deforested, and the other is quite deep. The middle hill has two peaks. While the northern peak still has some forest on its top slopes and one forested area of about twenty-six (26) has a gully on its south-facing side with obvious indications of logging and disturbance, the southern peak has been fully deforested.[8] Consequently, these protected forest reserve management areas are undergoing a rapid stage of evolution as a result of escalating issues and pressures because of sharp population growth and economic collapse. The demand for land and resources that people have as a result of their legitimately increasing material ambitions has increased linearly, placing pressure on the growth of the human population. Conversely, due to human interaction, the animal resource is jeopardized and seen as a wasteful program when extinction starts.[9]
Climate
Oba Hills Forest Reserve in Nigeria experiences a tropical climate classified as Aw by the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. This climate is characterized by high temperatures and a distinct wet season. The average annual temperature in the forest reserve is 26.0 °C (78.8 °F). Although the proximity to the equator makes it difficult to define distinct seasons, the best time to visit Oba Hills Forest Reserve is during the dry months (January to February, April to December).[10]
The climate graph illustrates the variation in temperature and precipitation throughout the year. February is the warmest month with an average temperature of 28.2 °C (82.8 °F), while August records the lowest temperatures with an average low of 23.9 °C (74.9 °F). December is the driest month with only 10 mm (0.4 inches) of precipitation, whereas September is the wettest, experiencing an average of 184 mm (7.2 inches).
The temperature range in Oba Hills Forest Reserve fluctuates by 4.4 °C (7.8 °F) throughout the year. Relative humidity is highest in September at 86.98% and lowest in January at 51.17%. July has the highest precipitation, averaging 25.93 rainy days, while December has the least with 2.27 days.
In terms of sunshine hours, January boasts the highest daily sunshine hours with an average of 8.5, accumulating to a total of 263.6 hours. Conversely, January also experiences the least sunshine hours, with an average of only 3.15 hours, totaling 97.71 hours for the month. Throughout the year, the forest reserve receives approximately 2043.64 hours of sunshine, with an average monthly duration of around 67.32 hours.
People farm around the buffer zone communities of the site on both a subsistence and commercial basis. Land cultivation was normally prepared manually, either by an individual farmer or by group farming. There is little mechanized farming in the boundary zone of the site. Large swaths of land are cleared for farming activities that are not conducted with due consideration for sustainable land use methods and infrastructural development at the expense of important wildlife habitat.[12] In fact, most farming activities in the Oba Hills Forest Reserve are done by immigrants who are agricultural laborers from Francophone nations like Benin and Togo. All three hills surrounding the valley bottom have been used for tungiya farming. Additionally, this farming has migrated halfway up steep slopes. As a result, all three hills are covered with thick scrubby vegetation, and streambeds on the slopes are dry. The trespassing of people from other countries around has greatly deforested the region and needs urgent government protection to preserve the remaining forest for the health of biodiversity and man in the environment. One-sixth of the world's population, 70% of dry regions, and 25% of the land area are all impacted by deforestation. Between 50% and 75% of Nigeria's states suffer from deforestation, and they are especially susceptible to wind erosion. unpredictable rainfall patterns, high temperatures, floods, the devastation of farms, pests, illnesses, and food shortages are all consequences of climate change and deforestation also contribute to that. To solve these issues and safeguard the forests and land areas, effective planning and policy actions are required.[13] Hunger is increasing and many are clearing bushes to enable them farm, which causes deforestation in the environment.
Hunting
In the tropics, hundreds of species are hunted for their wild meat, sustaining the diets, traditions, and means of subsistence of millions of people.[14] Unsustainable hunting, however, poses one of the greatest risks to ecosystems and animals around the world and has detrimental effects on people whose sustenance and livelihood depend on the sale of wild meat.[15] For a very long time, hunting for bush meat has been a customary practice in the southern portion of Nigeria.[16] Because natural forest ecosystems are being exploited by the human population for economic gain, hunting pressure has increased dramatically recently.[17][18] Oba Hills Forest Reserve (OHFR) has been included on the list of locations important for primate conservation since a previous report on the existence of Pan troglodytes, the Nigerian-Cameroonian chimpanzee ellioti)[19] A few large mammals live there, including the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti), cane rat (Thryonomys gregorianus), blue duiker (Cephalophus monicola), patas monkey (Cercopithecus erythrocebus patas), and red-river hog (Potamochoerus porcus), according to the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (2013). Young adult males between the ages of 21 and 40 are the majority of those who hunt bushmeat in the OHFR, which will likely have a negative impact on biodiversity because these men can engage in any economic activity to ensure food security for their family, especially during the dry season.[20] Communities in OHFR engage in illegal hunting not because they lack of understanding of the need for wildlife protection but because they were jobless, had no other means of support, and needed animal protein for food.[20]
Ecological Importance.
The Oba Forest Reserve has cultural and recreational value. It offers opportunities for nature lovers, researchers, and tourists to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.[21] Visitors can engage in activities like hiking, bird watching, and nature photography while experiencing the tranquility and serenity of the forest. Efforts are made to protect and conserve the Oba Forest Reserve through the enforcement of conservation laws and the involvement of local communities and stakeholders. These measures aim to ensure the sustainable use of resources and prevent deforestation.[22] The expansion of this forest reserve, which has a wide range of natural and cultural elements, has boosted the potential for ecotourism in Iwo land communities. For people who enjoy nature tourism, the forest ecosystem habitat, which is home to many different tourist attractions, serves as a gathering place.[23] Other attractions include seeing the wildlife and seeing important monuments within the reserve, which allow visitors to appreciate the grandeur of the surrounding natural scenery.[24] In order to achieve a wildlife-active position for their own acceptance of the values of our national heritage, these Nigerian forest reserve enclaves were published in each of the country's six geographical political zones.[25]
Introduction of Green Society in the Reserve
A "green society" is one in which the preservation of the environment and the welfare of the planet are given top priority.[26] It entails implementing behaviors and laws that limit environmental damage, support renewable resources, cut carbon emissions, and promote harmonious coexistence of human activity with the natural world.[27] Nigerians ought to take a cue from a Portuguese study on the contribution of industrial sectors to environmental pollution, which indicated that companies are largely concerned with bringing eco-friendly goods, eco-friendly procedures, and eco-equipment to promote a sustainable society. The study also found a strong link between environmental strategies and firm size. This demonstrated that in order to protect our environment, businesses need to collaborate with other stakeholders.[28] The issue of green society in the reserve is something that should be promoted in the area.
Renewable Energy
Using renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power, to minimize dependency on fossil fuels and carbon emissions.[29] The renewal of a forest crop through self-sown seed, coppicing, or root suckers is known as natural regeneration. Additionally, it refers to the harvest that was produced in this way. A crop known as a seedling crop is made up of seedlings that are not planted, not from coppiced trees or root suckers, but rather from naturally occurring forests.[1]
The sun, wind, rivers, hot springs, tides, biomass, and other renewable resources are the sources of renewable energy, often known as alternative energy. In the past, fossil fuels—limited resources—provided 80% of the energy used in the world. The burning of fossil fuels releases hazardous pollutants that are known to be damaging to human health, including sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and toxic compounds. In addition, burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, one of the main greenhouse gases, and causes smog and acid rain.[30]
Conservation of Economically Forest Products and Natural Resources
Initiatives for conservation management as part of conservation to protect the economically significant forest products and natural resources, the following needs to be practiced.
In order to create sustainable conservation programs, it is important to integrate indigenous knowledge, practices, and abilities with contemporary conservation techniques. This can be done by enlisting the help of the local population.
Our middle schools' curricula should include management integration of traditional and contemporary knowledge systems of biodiversity protection.
Young children and youth were the target of a successful conservation education and awareness campaign that emphasized the direct and indirect benefits of biodiversity as well as the scientific underpinnings of traditional animal conservation. The campaign was launched along the protected area's corridor.[31]
The management plan should include programs for forestation and reforestation that would draw wildlife to the traditional hunting grounds and preserve those grounds from bushfires together with other human activities to support the recovery of ungulate mammal populations.[32]
To relieve strain on the site's fuel wood gathering, locals should be encouraged to use alternate biomass energy sources (such as crop waste, organic waste, etc.).
The government should encourage the effective use of forest products, the recycling of paper and wood products, and the selection of sustainable alternatives whenever possible in order to promote the responsible consumption of forest products.
To maintain biodiversity, which is crucial for the health and balance of an ecosystem, the government should work to conserve wildlife habitat within forests.
Eco-friendly tourism that minimizes environmental impact should be encouraged.
Encroachment
Encroachment into the forest is another cause of deforestation in the area. As many people are being displaced, they will be searching for a place of refuge. This also leads to degradation of the environment. Degradation of the environment is mostly caused by deforestation. The primary frontier of deforestation is tropical nations with dense populations and extreme poverty. Oba inhabitants have the lowest per capita forestland since it is one of the most densely populated countries with declining tropical forestland. Illegal logging and conversion to non-forestry usage are the main causes of the woods' decline. The topic of human encroachment onto forestland has been covered has become issue confronting forestation. The issue of the socioeconomic causes and pattern of encroachment were found to be a lack of available land and unemployment. It is recommended that if action is not taken within the next three decades, the natural forests that are already in place of risk of being encroached upon will turn into serious problem.[33]
How to get to Oba Hills Forest Reserve
Oba Hills Forest Reserve is closest to Ibadan Airport, but it is not an international airport. So, international visitors typically fly to Lagos International Airport first.[34]
To reach Oba Hills Forest Reserve from Ibadan Airport, you'll begin by heading southeast on Airport Road to access Ibadan-Ilesha Expressway (A122). This initial stretch covers approximately 4.0 kilometers and should take around 6 minutes. Upon reaching Ibadan-Ilesha Expressway, you will merge onto it, passing by Kola Furniture Works on your right during the 18-minute, 9.1-kilometer drive.
Next, your route involves taking Ibiti Road, leading you to Ibadan-Iwo Road in Lalupon. This segment spans 31 minutes and 10.8 kilometers. As you follow Ibadan-Iwo Road, your journey will extend into Osun State, specifically on Iwo-Osogbo Road. The drive along this road is estimated to be approximately 31 minutes, covering a distance of 24.1 kilometers.
Upon reaching your destination, Testing Ground, the final leg of your journey involves a 30-minute drive covering 14.0 kilometers to Oba Hills Forest Reserve.
In other words, you can fly to Ibadan Airport and then drive to Oba Hills Forest Reserve. The drive takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes.
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