ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the impact of deforestation on health and environment among residents of Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State. Four research questions were raised to act as a guide to the study. The questions bothered on the level of awareness on the health or the negative impact of deforestation on health, the level of awareness of the negative environmental impact of deforestation, ways that can be used to minimize deforestation and to what extent does afforestation benefit the environment.
A descriptive survey research design was employed in carrying out the study. The population for this study was 180, 900 which comprises the total population of residence living in Ovia North East of Edo State. An instrument titled “Evaluation of the Impact of Deforestation on Health and Environment among residents of Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study” was used for data collection. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentage.
The findings revealed that when trees are cut down, animal will lose their habitat, it was also noted that carbon dioxide will be excess in the atmosphere, if trees are cut down because trees helps to absorb the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby reducing global warming. It was concluded that cutting down of trees exposes humans to diseases such as skin diseases, cancer, yellow fever. In lines with the findings, recommendations were made; reduction in population growth and increasing per capital income to reduce deforestation as these has a negative impact on the income of residence of Ovia North East. Environmental Education programmes should be floated for the farmers on indiscriminate cutting down of trees.
