Evaluation of Rangeland Management Practices and Pastoralist-Wildlife Coexistence in Plateau State

Rangeland management and the coexistence of pastoralist cattle herding with wildlife represent one of the most pressing natural resource governance challenges in Nigeria's Guinea savanna zone. Plateau State, within the North Central geopolitical zone, is a key pastoral migration route and also hosts significant wildlife populations in its forest reserves. This study evaluates current rangeland management practices and the conditions enabling or hindering pastoralist-wildlife coexistence across three local government areas in Plateau State. Data were collected through household surveys with 90 pastoralist households, interviews with 30 sedentary farming community leaders, rangeland vegetation assessments, and review of state grazing management policies. Results indicate widespread overgrazing of dry-season rangeland in areas where officially designated grazing routes have been encroached upon by cropland. Pastoralist communities report avoiding designated forest reserves due to fear of fines and confrontation with rangers, inadvertently concentrating cattle pressure on undesignated rangelands. Wildlife sightings are common in transition zones between farms and reserves, generating conflict in 60 percent of surveyed pastoralist households. The study recommends the restoration and demarcation of formal grazing routes, piloting of shared grazing-wildlife management zones, and establishment of formal dialogue platforms between pastoralist representatives, sedentary farmers, and state wildlife agencies. These recommendations are designed to reduce resource use conflicts and support wildlife conservation alongside pastoral livelihoods. Keywords: rangeland management, pastoralism, wildlife coexistence, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria