Afforestation and Rural development: A Socio-economic Impact and Environmental Implication

Abstract

Modernization a product of modernity has been responsible for today’s world development characterised by industrialization, advancement in information technology and urbanization. This process of development is contributing to global warming and climate change, phenomena every society on the surface of the earth now wrestles with. It is a challenge prompted by human indulgence with the natural environment in the bid of creating a modern society. Deforestation and desertification are integral of these challenging problem.

This paper will dissect the exigency of these problems particularly in the rural area which according to the functional school of thought is the peripheral of the urban core. It aimed at creating orientation and campaign for afforestation and against deforestation, one of the major causes of desertification of the rural area.

Thus, the paper will equally expound imperative necessity on how to contribute to rural development through the creation of ‘mini jungle’ inclusive of recreational spots and creation of a buffer green zone. Such spots are either inadequate or not available in rural area, which thus indicates the negligence of these areas by the government. This paper will therefore draw public attention for the demand of such spots and the extent to which its deficiency hampers psychological and physical recreation. This paper believes that revenue from such recreational spots can in fact be instrumental in the tree plantation process geared at combating the menace of deforestation and desertification and ultimately playing a role in reducing the heat in our atmosphere.