THE INFLUNCE OF SOME SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ON FOREST DEGRADATION IN JALHAK FOREST RESEREVED IN UPPER NILE STATE SOUTH SUDAN

Abstract

Jalhak forest reserved is one of the most important natural forests reserved in Upper Nile State in South Sudan. The main objective of the study is to investigate the influence of some socioeconomic factors that led to the degradation of the forest resource in the study area. Data was collected by the social survey, questionnaire in addition to the observations and exchange views and ideas, references, scientific papers, Goss and NGOs reports. There were different negative economic and social factors that contributed to the degradation of Jalhak forest such as shifting cultivation, agricultural expansion, overgrazing, fires an over exploitation for smoking and different uses in addition to cutting of some tree species to fight the birds from farms. Jalhak forest reserved faced constraints represented in the weakness of forest laws and policies, repeated rockeries owners attacked on the forest territory, weakness of environmental awareness among respondents, absence of extensional services in the study area and absence of technical plans. Enforcing the forest laws and policies, establishing community forest and Tonjia, establishing guidelines campaigns to promote environmental awareness for local residents in addition to the involvement of the local people represent the main solutions to overcome the constraints in order to minimize depletion and encourage sustainable management. The study recommended: new rules should be initiated, protecting the Jalhak forest and other forest in the state and involving local people in all forest management activities to promote environmental awareness and to ensure the sustainability of the forest.