Community-Based Natural Resource Management in Oban Hills Forest, Cross River State

Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) frameworks have demonstrated significant potential for aligning local livelihood interests with conservation objectives in African forest landscapes. Cross River State's Oban Hills forest, a critical component of the Cross River National Park biosphere reserve in Nigeria's South South geopolitical zone, presents a compelling context for CBNRM application, given the high dependence of surrounding communities on forest resources. This study evaluates the design, implementation, and outcomes of CBNRM initiatives in four communities adjacent to the Oban Division of Cross River National Park. Data were gathered through key informant interviews with 35 community resource management committee members, focus group discussions with women's groups and youth associations, review of program documents, and direct observation of community forest management activities. Results reveal that communities with formal CBNRM agreements report higher satisfaction with forest governance, lower rates of illegal encroachment, and improved household food security compared to communities without such agreements. However, significant challenges are identified, including inadequate financial flows to community accounts, low women's representation on management committees, and insufficient training for local resource monitors. The study recommends strengthened government-community partnership frameworks, revised benefit-sharing formulas, and targeted capacity building for underrepresented groups. These findings have direct relevance for the Wildlife Conservation Society Nigeria program and the Cross River State Forestry Commission. Keywords: CBNRM, community conservation, Oban Hills, South South Nigeria, benefit-sharing