ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNITY COMPLIANCE WITH NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION REGULATIONS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.

Ekemini E. Idem, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Centre of Excellence of Environmental Management and Green Energy (CEMAGE), University of Nigeria, Enugu campus. University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Ozorme Vivian Amarachi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Center for Excellence in Environmental Management and Green Energy (CEMAGE), University of Nigeria, Enugu campus. University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

 And

Sam, Ime Edet.  Ph.D

Department of Environmental Education,

Faculty of Science Education,

College of Education, University of Calabar.

Abstract

This study examined environmental governance and community compliance with natural resource conservation regulations in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study investigated the influence of regulatory enforcement, community participation and institutional accountability on community compliance with natural resource conservation regulations. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised adult residents of selected communities around forest reserves, protected areas and other natural-resource conservation areas in Cross River State. A sample of 453 respondents was selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using the Environmental Governance and Community Compliance with Natural Resource Conservation Regulations Questionnaire (EGCCNRCQ). Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation and Multiple Linear Regression at the 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that regulatory enforcement, community participation and institutional accountability significantly and positively influenced community compliance with natural resource conservation regulations. Institutional accountability recorded the strongest predictive influence among the three governance variables. The study concluded that effective environmental governance is essential for strengthening community compliance and promoting sustainable natural resource conservation. It recommended stronger enforcement of conservation regulations, increased community participation, improved institutional transparency and accountability, environmental education, and alternative livelihood opportunities for resource-dependent communities. These measures are expected to enhance compliance and strengthen natural resource conservation efforts in Cross River State.

Keywords: Environmental governance, community compliance, regulatory enforcement, community participation, institutional accountability, natural resource conservation. DOWNLOAD PDF