4. Contributions of sawn wood and herb sellers from Ibadan metropolis, southwestern Nigeria to forest restoration

The study investigated contributions of sawn wood and herb sellers in Ibadan metropolis to forest restoration. Data were obtained through personal interview and administration of semi-structured questionnaire on 100 sawn wood sellers and 100 herb sellers in five selected markets for each category. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that 59% of the wood sellers were males and 41% were females whereas 29% of the herb sellers were males and 71% were females. Highest percentage (40%) of sawn wood sellers and herb sellers (46%) had their ages between 41-50% years. Majority (40%) of the sawn wood sellers had secondary education while majority (38%) of the herb sellers had primary education. Timber ranked 1st with 89% as a benefit derived from forests by sawn wood sellers while for herb sellers, medicine ranked 1st with 98%. Also, 59% and 97% of the sawn wood sellers and herb sellers respectively have never planted trees before. Tree species planted by 41% of sawn wood sellers who have planted trees before were Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Terminalia ivonrensis. Identified constraints regarding tree planting in order of importance were non-availability of seeds, lack of funds and non-availability of land. The participation of both sawn wood sellers and herb sellers in forest restoration is still very low therefore there is need for more awareness among general public on benefits derivable from forests. This would likely encourage more responsible use of forests and consequently aid involvement of more people in forest restoration.