Assessing Level of Awareness of Environmental Impacts of Charcoal Production and Consumption in the Southern Senatorial Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria (Published)
Charcoal is a key source of energy in some Nigerian regions, but its production and use contribute to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and risks to health. The aim of this research is to determine the level of awareness of the environmental, health and socio-economic effects of charcoal production and utilization in the Southern Senatorial Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to interview 120 respondents from Obi, Doma and Keana LGA and data were analyzed by descriptive analysis using SPSS and results were presented in the form of tables and charts. Findings indicate high awareness of ecological impacts: 96% of respondents perceived changes in biodiversity and 70% witnessed forest loss. Economic reason was stated by 48.3% as the key driver for use of charcoal in spite of health impacts such as eye irritation (70%). Almost all (94.2%) of the respondents recommended mitigation measures such as the plantation of trees. In conclusion, the study offers significant insights for policy makers and emphasizes the necessity for environmental education initiatives and use of sustainable alternatives for charcoal.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Deforestation, Environmental Awareness, Nasarawa State., charcoal production, health impacts