Sustainable Livelihood in the Cross River National Park (CRNP), Oban Division, Nigeria
Obong, Linus Beba; Aniah, Eugene J.; Okaba, Lydia A.; Effiom, Violet Asuquo

Abstract
National parks have become one of the major strategies of conserving biodiversity. However, sustaining this conservation strategy and indigenous people’s livelihood within the park areas remains a challenge. This study assessed Sustainable Livelihood in the Cross River National Park (CRNP), Oban Division, Nigeria. The household questionnaire survey and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) were adopted for data collection. Data collected were on types of occupation, National Park and livelihood provision, alternative livelihood options, constraints affecting livelihood activities, and host communities’ support of National Park operations. These were analyzed and presented in tables, simple percentages and graphical illustrations. The study revealed farming, gathering of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and petty-trading as major means of livelihood of the people. However, activities such as timber logging, poaching, gathering of NTFPs and bush burning with forest-based farming encroaching into the park were identified as issues of conflict which led to cases of arrests of community members. In order to make the livelihood of the people within the park area more sustainable the the study recommended that the: provision of micro credit facilities for small-scale businesses and poultry keeping, the law that established the national parks should be made to include alternative livelihood of the support zone communities in national annual budget, agricultural extension services should be delivered to the people to help farmers on improved and environmentally sustainable methods or techniques of cultivation and application of agricultural equipments for better yield, and the park management should establish and maintain relations with the host people, funding agencies, professional bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as tiers of government so as to secure funding and training schemes suitable and compatible with support villages for sustainable alternative means of livelihood.

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