ANALYSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CATTLE GRAZING AND MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This research analyses the environmental impact of cattle grazing and movement in Nigeria. The research exposes the resultant effect of unregulated cattle grazing in Nigeria. The research finds that cattle grazing and rearing, which has impacted the environment adversely is a direct cause of land degradation, threatens the resources and ecosystem’s services that biodiversity provides and is a threat to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research also finds that the recent conflicts, killings and destruction of properties between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria is one of the consequences of ineffective management of access to natural resources (land) and an ineffective regulatory framework for addressing the environmental degradation resulting from unregulated grazing which are both exacerbated by climate change. The research also shows that Nigerian municipal laws upon close scrutiny shows the absence of any statute which provides for the protection of the environment from this economic activity except the recent anti-open grazing laws enacted by some states of the federation. This seems to account for the unsustainable management of cattle grazing lands among other factors. Based on the above findings, the research therefore recommends that an effective cattle grazing legal framework is imperative to complement existing environmental laws in addressing the environmental challenges occasioned by cattle grazing and ongoing tensions. The research concludes that government should also make efforts in establishing cattle ranches and reserves for cattle herders. This will go a long way in solving the needs of cattle herders in the country.