Abstract: Forests' crucial role in maintaining socio-economic development and ecological balance through carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and providing livelihoods makes them an invaluable resource for humankind. However, the unsustainable exploitation of forest resources in Nigeria continues to threaten the integrity of its forests. The study assesses the spatiotemporal dynamics of the Arakanga Forest Reserve from 1984 to 2023. The study integrates remote sensing with a social survey of 110 residents from surrounding communities to determine land-use/land-cover changes and local perceptions of reserve administration and exploitation. The findings revealed a significant decline in forest cover, from over 41% in 1984 to 26% in 2023, alongside a corresponding increase in the built-up area, from 8% to 37% during the same period, indicating rapid anthropogenic encroachment and land conversion. This significantly contradicts the perception of the locals, who believe that 85% of the reserve is underexploited due to the effective implementation of restrictions by the reserve management. The study identifies a significant weakness in the collaboration between the community and management in implementing enforcement mechanisms. The study recommends participatory management of the reserve, a stronger regulatory framework, and increased community awareness to promote sustainable management of the Arakanga Forest Reserve.
Key words: Anthropogenic Impact, Arakanga Forest Reserve, Deforestation, Land Use Change, Local Perception