Influence of Forest Governance Approach on Livelihood Capitals: The Sustainable Livelihood Perspectives

Effective forest governance is important for maintaining forest health amidst environmental and economic challenges. This study explores how different forest governance approaches influence livelihood capitals of forest fringe communities in Enugu and Cross River states, Southeast Nigeria. Using a sustainable livelihood approach (SLA) and case study methodology, the research involved household heads, forest officials, and community elders through a multistage sampling. In Cross River National Park (CRNP), the governance model lacks training and capacity-building opportunities for rural households, except for forest rangers. Educational attainment in CRNP is low, with 33.5% having secondary education. Additionally, weak social networks hinder effective community relationships with park management. In contrast, Enugu forest communities show that a proportion (32.6%) had secondary education qualifications. There is a lack of training or forestry education from the government, and no relationship between government institutions and rural communities to promote sustainable forest management. The study emphasises the importance of community cohesion. It concludes that an effective forest governance method with strong social networks that are inclusive, adaptive, and responsive positively enhances both ecological and human livelihoods. Policymakers should create inclusive governance frameworks to address educational gaps and foster community engagement, improving the socio-economic well-being of forest-dependent populations.